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^OX  ^4X  18X  22X 


26X 


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24X 


28X 


32X 


ire 

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Bibiiothdque  nationaic  du  Quebec 


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dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustration,  soit  par  le  second 
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premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  sulvants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernidre  imago  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — »►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symboie  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  dtre 
fiimds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
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et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  sulvants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


errata 
to 


pelure, 
>n  a 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Jl 


SUBALTERN  IN  AMERICA;    C^ 


COMPRISING 


HIS  NAKKi^T^IVE  OF  THK  CAMPAIG.NS 


OP  THE 


BRITISH    ARMY, 


AT  liAL'l'IMORE,  WASIIIXGTOX,  .Vc.  .tc. 


oaniNG 


THE   IiATE   WAR. 


'liVOxX-E  VOLtlOK. 


r  ■  .  »    .    \   ^ — -'-_   ;< 


PHILADELPH[A  : 

E.  L.  CAREY  &  A.  HART,  CI  lESNUT  STREET. 

BALTIMOHi: 

CAREY,  HART  &  CO. 

i"833.' 


%*-. 


t*. 


*:•    MATTHEWS,    PRI.\TKR. 


-*    ,.,  -»•. 


COIVTEIVTS. 


Landing  on  the  Banks  op  the  Chesapeake, 

Advance  of  the  British  Army, 

Skirmish  with  the  Enemy, 

continued 

continued 

Action  AT  Bladensburo,        -        .        .        . 

Destruction  OP  Washington, 

Retreat  from  WASHiNTON,-RESHiPMENi  oft^e 

1  ROOFS, 

Arrival  in  the  Potomac,        ...       * 
Disembarkation  in  Marvland,-m1rch  upon 

Baltimore,— And  Death  of  General  Ross, 
Action  with  the  Americans, 
Defences  for  the  Protection  of  Baltimore 

t'REPARATIONS  FOR    ATTACKING   THE    AMERICAN 

Entrenchments,-SuddenRetreat,-And 
Ke-embarkation, 

continued         ... 
Voyage  from  the  Chesapeake  to  JamIica,* 
Voyage  TO  New  Orleans,     ... 
continued         .         .        _ 

continued         .        .       , 

Arrival  of  General  Packenham,      ' . 

continued 

Battle  of  New  Orleans, 


Page 
.     5 

17 

29 

39 

ul 

61 

78 

90 
99 


111 
125 
138 


141 

164 

177 

190 

203 

217 

221 

245 

259 


45874 


■'^^.^ 


re] 

So 

an 

ho 

ma 

if  1 

pro 

the 

I'ect 

fact 

latk 

mys 

tion 

theij 

to  h 


A  SrBALTERIV  11%  AlflERICA. 


CHAPTER  I. 


yi 


v: 


LANDING  ON  t1^' BANKS  OP  THK  CHESAPEAKE. 


North,  that  I  s,t  down  to  comply  with  your  frcnuemlv 
repeated  roquos..    The  details  of  the  late  17^T1 

Southern  States  of  North  America  have  been  srvvidiv 
and  correctly  g.ven  by  your  friend  the  Subaltern    h« 
!«=  who  ventures  to  tread  upon  the  same  ground  m'! 
mko  up  h,s  mind  ,0  endure  the  reproach  of  rlshZ 
■fnot  of  presumption.     Nevertheless,  as  mytu^nl' 
efesses  not  to  enter  in  any  degree  into  the  ^ 
te  different  campaigus,  farther  than  as  these  pL"  „P 
-  ed  my  own  individual  person ;  and  as,  i„  'I   o 

ion  7Z  "'T'  '°  «'"  ""^*'"="  ■"»-  *-  ^  - 
.yself  fr'     ,r     '"''  ""''  "^'•^"oes  which  befell 

thcir  fi„r.l  u  '"'"l*'''''^'  <'°™  <»  'he  period  of 

S"'"  by  your  wishes;  not  in  the  spirit  of  a  rival 


6 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMEHICA. 


or  adversary  towards  my  brother  Suhaltorn,  hcavrn 
knows,  but  as  an  humble  imitator,  whose  hyhter  skctch- 
ns  and  more  private  narration  may,  perhaps,  give  an 
additional  interest  to  tliose  grave  and  scientific  details 
with  which  he  has  already  favoured  the  public. 

In  the  "  Narrative  of  the  Campaign  of  the  British 
Army  at  Washington  and  New  Orleans,"*  you  will 
find  a  sufficiently  elaborate  account  of  the  embarkation 
of  the  troops  in  the  Garonne,  and  the  passage  from 
thence  to  the  mouth  of  the  Patuxent.  Of  that  account 
I  shall  say  no  more,  than  that  to  the  minutest  tittle,  (as 
far  at  least  as  I  am  a  judge)  it  is  correctly  given.  All 
■went  on  as  the  Subaltern  has  told  us;  St.  Michael's  and 
Bermuda  were  both  visited,  the  Chesapeake  was  enter- 
ed on  the  1.5th  of  August,  1814,  and  on  the  18th  the 
fleet  began  to  ascend  the  Patuxent.  It  was  my  fortune, 
during  the  progress  of  this  voyage,  to  be  embarked  on 
board  of  a  light,  though  very  comfortable  transport. 
The  consequence  was,  that  when  the  ships  of  war,  and 
other  heavy  vessels  took  the  ground,  we  continued  to 
hold  our  course,  till,  having  approached  within  eight 
miles  of  St.  Benedicts,  our  master  deemed  it  prudent  to 
cast  anchor.  We  had,  however,  got  so  far  a-head  of 
the  rest,  that  but  a  very  short  space  of  time  elapsed, 
ere  boat  after  boat,  loaded  with  troops,  drew  up  along- 
side of  us ;  and  in  a  couple  of  hours  our  deck,  cabin, 
and  hold,  were  literally  jammed  with  men  and  officers, 
making  a  sort  of  half-way  house  of  number  375  be- 
tween  their  own  vessels  and  the  shore. 


•  Murray,  London,  1826. 


',jf^ — ^> 


A    SUBALTERN    ;n    AMEHICA.  7 

Day  had  bnrdy  dawi.ed  on  the  nineteenth,  when  the 
r^-port  oi  a  cannon  from  one  of  the  frigates  lower  down 
,:,'avc  notice  that  all  the  boats  should  be  hoisted  out,  and 
|l.c  troops  conveyed   to  land.     How  it  camo  about  I 
know  not,  but  in  my  eagerness  to  reach  terra  firma,  I 
sprang,  with  five  dozen  men,  and  one  brother  oiTicer 
!»to  a  broad-bowed  punt,  which,  being  supplied  with  no 
more  than  a  couple  of  oars,  moved  against  the  stream 
<|t  the  rate  of  half  a-mile  per  hour.     The  point  of  ren- 
dczvous  had,  however,  been  named  ;  it  was  St.  Bene 
diets,  a  village  distant,  as  I  have  already  stated,  eight 
long  miles  from  our  place  of  anchorage.     VV'c  had 
therefore,  but  a  gloomy  prospect  before  us.—that  of  I 
sixteen  hours'  voyage  under  a  broiling  sun  ;  and  the 
prospect,  at  one  period,  seemed  not  unlikely  to  be  re- 
ahzed.     Boat  after  boat,  and  barge  after  barge,  passed 
us  by,  without  bestowing  upon  us  any  other  notice  than 
a  volley  of  jokes,  or  repeated  peals  of  laughter;  till  at 
last  a  worthy  midshipman  took  pity  upon  us,  and  threw 
us  a  line.     Under  his  towage  we  made  way  at  a  toler- 
ably  rapid  rate ;  and  having  quitted  the  ship  at  six 

0  clock,  found  ourselves  snugly  on  shore,  and  in  full 
«»arch  towards  the  bivouac,  about  Half  an  hour  before 
noon. 

St.  Benedicts,  like  most  of  the  villages  on  the  banks 

01  the  Chesapeake  rivers,  is  a  small  straggling  place; 
the  houses  of  which  stand  far  apart  from  each  other, 
and  are  surrounded  by  neat  gardens,  and  apparently 
productive  orchards.  When  we  landed  it  was  totally 
deserted  by  its  inhabitants.  The  furniture  however, 
had  not  been  removed,-at  least  not  wholly, -from  any 


3  A    Sl'BALTEKX    I>    AMliUK  a. 

of  the  house?,  and  not  a  few  of  tlio  dairies  uerc  gar. 
lushed  with  dishes  of  exquisite  milk,  and  delicate  new 
cheeses.     I  state  this  fact,  because  I  perfectly  recollect 
the  degree  of  hesitation  which  was  generally  experi- 
enced,  before  any  one  would  v.-nture  to  partake  of  thes(^ 
luxuries,     fn  order,  [  presume,  to  deter  the  men  Iroi.i 
plundering,  and  to  keep  thcni  from  being  guilty  of  those 
acts  of  insubordination  which  the  habit  of  plundering 
never  fails  to  produce,  a  report  had  been  industriously 
circulated  through  the  /Icet,  that  il.c  Americans  had  poi- 
soned  both  wines  and  provisions,  which  were  purposely 
lelt  in  our  wa>-.     Though  I  was  never  much  disposed 
to  place  reliance  in  this  report,  it  must  be  confessed, 
tliat  the  idea  hindered,  not  only  a  ihw  privates,  who  foN 
lowed  me  mto  a  dairy,  but  myself  also,  for  several  mi- 
nutes,  from  applying  our  lips  to  a  pig  of  delicious  cream, 
which  occupied  one  of  the  shelves.     Inclination,  how- 
ever, at  length  prevailed  over  apprehension.     1  drank 
ireely  of  the  perilous  liquor;  my  men  followed  my  ev- 
ample;  and  none  of  us  suficred  the  slightest  inconveni- 
ence  Irom  this  act  of  temerity  of  which  we  had  been 
gudty. 

I  have  said,  that  the  little  detachment  of  which  I  wa>. 
in  charge,  njade  good  its  landing  about  an  hour  before 
noon.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  degree  of  exhilaration 
which  was  exhibited  by  persons  of  all  ranks  on  the  pre- 
sent occasion.  Of  the  privates,  few  h.d  planted  foot 
on  hrm  ground  for  the  space  of  three  months,  and  of 
the  officers  there  were  several,  the  low  state  of  whose 
linance^  had  not  permitted  them  to  indulge  very  fro- 
quently  in  visits  to  the  towns  or  ports  at  which  we  Jiad 


3s  wltc  gm- 
dclicatu  new 
ctly  recollect 
•rally  oxperi- 
■tnkc  ol' these 
le  men  Iroiu 
iiilty  of  those 
i"  j)lundering 
industriously 
;ans  had  poi- 
re purposely 
icli  disposed 
»c  confessed, 
ites,  who  fol- 
'  several  nii- 
:ious  cream, 
lation,  how- 
II.     1  drank 
wed  my  ex- 
t  inconvcni- 
3  liad  been 

vhich  I  was 
lour  before 
exhilaration 
on  the  pre- 
lanted  loot 
iths,  and  of 
■  of  whose 
e  very  fre- 
ich  we  had 


:4 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA.  9 

(uuched  during  our  passage.     To  them  the  prospect  of 
a  <ew  days'  sojourn  upon  their  own  element,  was  hi  the 
highest  degree  animating  and  delightful.     For  n.y  own 
part,  I  had  omitted  no  opportunity  of  breathing  the  land 
breezes,  or  taking  part  in  such  amusements  and  recre- 
'•'"ons  as  our  ten.porary  sojourn  at  St.  Michael's  and 
Hormuda  allorded;  yet  I  firmly  believe,  that  not  an  in- 
d.v.dual  among  them  all  enjoyed  the  change  more  hear- 
t'ly  than  myself.     Oiicc  more  1  felt  that  the  business  of 
n.y  prolessio.1  was  to  be  carried  on.     Widely  diflbrenf 
'•uleed was  the  style  of  coi.ducting  ,hat  business  here 
rom  that  w h.ch  had  attended  our  campaigrung  in  the 
l'cnu.sula.     XVe  had  no  tents  now  to  pitch  and  to  r" 
I'osc  m :  .0  bat-mule,  loaded  with   portmanteaus  an<I 
c^unteens, attended  us;  nor wereoursaddle-horsc'^  -eadv 
at  a  call.     Each  officer,  on  the  con(ra-y,  V  •  <  ,c  sol 
diers,  earned  his  baggage  on  his  back,  ,:.nd  all  had  the 
hrmament  of  heaven  to  look  to  as  their  canopy.     It' 
n.ay  perhaps,  amuse  some  of  your  readers  to  be  told 
'"  vvhat  plight  we,  on  this  occasion,  took  the  field  ;  and 
as  a  fair  specimen  of  the  plight  of  officers  in  general' 
-il  .ntorm  them  how  I  myself  w.s  accoutred  when 
I  -s  opped  for  the  first  time  upon  the  soil  of  Anierica. 

1"  the  first  place,  then,  I  carried,  as  is  usual  on  such 
occasions,  a  perfect  equipment  of  military  accoutre- 
mems ;  th.t  is  to  say,  sabre,  sash,  belt,  pistols,  and  tele- 
s  ope.     Strapped   across   my  shoulders   was  a  good 

dmv^r    .  !,'"  T'"^  P''^'^"'  °^^^«'°"«  ^^^  done  the 
duty  of  a  bed,  and  which  I  confidently  anticipated  would 

were    e  bT  '°  ""  n^^'  '  ''"''''' '^'y  '"  ^'--  ^'-^ 
'''''  >^t  before  me.     On  my  right  flank,  that  istosay, 


10 


A    SUBALTKRN    IN   AMERICA. 


n 


«lung  ov?r  my  left  shoulder,  lay  a  black  leathern  ha- 
versack, containing  a  spare  shirt,  a  pair  of  stockings, 
dressing  utensils,  a  foraging  cap,  three  pounds  of  boikvl 
pork,  and  two  pounds  and  a  half  of  sea-biscuit.     On 
my  left  breast,  again,  rested  a  horn,  fdlcd  with  rum, 
such  as  pursers  usually  serve  out,  whilst  a  wooden  keg, 
for  the  conveyance  of  water,  hung  over  my  neck,  on 
the  very  middle  of  my  back.     All  these  things,  the 
reader  will  be  pleased  to  observe,  were  necessary ;  yet 
they  by  no  means  added  to  the  agreeable  nature  of  our 
feelings  in  the  mean  time ;  whilst  they  certainly  took 
away  very  largely  from  the  persona),  elegance  of  such 
as  were  laid  under  the  necessity  of  carrying  them.     On 
the  present  occasion,  however,  no  one  regarded  appear- 
ances.    We  looked  only  to  such  arrangements  as  might 
promise  to  add  a  little  to  our  comforts ;  and  as  all  were 
equally  loaded,  no  man  had  an  opportunity  of  quizzing 
or  deriding  his  comrade. 

We  reached  our  ground,  as  I  have  already  informed 
you,  about  half  an  hour  before  noon;  and  seldom  have 
I  looked  upon  a  more  spirit-stirring  spectacle  than  the 
position  presented.     Just  under  the  ridge  of  a  gentle 
eminence,  extending,  perhaps,  about  three  or  four^hun- 
dred  yards  from  one  extremity  to  the  other,  were  piled 
ni  order  of  open  columns  the  arms  of  the  different  re- 
giments,  whilst  the  men  to  whom  these  arms  belontred 
were  scattered  here  and  there  in  groups  of  twemy, 
thirty,  and  fifty,  over  the  whole  slope.     Some  were  ly- 
ing at  full  length  upon  the  grass,  basking  in  the  beams 
of  a  sultry  sun,  and  apparently  made  happy  by  the  very 
?^\mg  of  the  green  sod  under  them.    Others  were 


I 

■•■^ 


leathern  lia- 
of  stockings, 
unds  of  boiled 
i-biscuit.     On 
cd  with  rum, 
I  wooden  kefj, 
'  my  neck,  on 
so  things,  tho 
3cessary;  yet 
nature  of  our 
certainly  took 
janco  of  such 
ig  them.     On 
H'dcd  appenr- 
cnts  as  might 
id  as  all  were 
y  of  quizzing 

ady  informed 
seldom  iiavn 
clo  than  the 
5  of  a  gentle 
or  four  hun- 
r,  were  piled 
different  re- 
us belonged 
3  of  twenty, 
me  were  ly. 
n  the  beams 
'■  by  the  very 
Others  were 


A    SUBALTBRN    IN    AMERICA.  H 

nmnng  and  leaping  about,  giving  exercise  to  the  limbs 
which  had  so  long  been  cramped  and  confined  on  board 
01  ship.     Whilst,  in  the  immediate  rear  of  the  musket, 
numerous  fires  were  blazing,  upon  which  camp  kettlJs' 
and  other  culinary  utensils   were  placed,  and  beside 
which  the  cooks  of  the  diff^erent  companies  were  mov- 
ing  in  all  the  dignity  of  office.     A  little  apart  from  the 
men  again,  and  surrounding  each  coterie  its  own  smai' 
i<rc,  sat  many  of  the  officers  in  parties  of  two,  three 
or  tour;  whilst  others  were  strolling  about   with   the 
careless  step  and  merry  countenances  of  men,  who 
looked  forward  to  danger  as  a  pastime,  and  confidently 
anticipated   success.     The   very  summit  of  the  hill 
again,  was  empty,  except  that  three  pieces  of  cannon' 
crowned  it,  the  muzdes  of  which  were  pointed  towards 
the  distant  country;  and  a  few  sentries  talked  their 
solitary  rounds  beside  them.     Such  was  the  genera! 
appearance  of  our  bivouac,  as  it  was  first  established 
on  the  banks  of  the  Patuycnt. 

The  Subaltern   has  informed  you,  that  officers  em- 
ployed upon  active  service  lay  aside  all  idea  of  a  gene- 
ral mess  and  live  together  as  the  ties  of  friendship,  or 
a  sense  of  mutual  convenience,  may  dictate.     Like  voi- 
correspondent,  I  too,  had  a  friend,  and  one  whom  I  sin- 
cerely valued.     As  he  is  still  in  the  service,  and  has 
risen,  as  his  merits  deserved  that  he  should  rise,  to  on 
elevated  rank,  you  will  excuse  me,  if  instead  of  giving 
you  Ins  real  name,  I  call  him,  for  distinction's  sake, 
Uiarlton.     He  was,  and  is,  as  good  a  soldier  as  any  m 
the  army,  and  at  the  period  to  which  I  now  allude,  com- 
manded the  company  to  which  I  was  attached  as  a  lieu- 


12 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


tenant.     My  first  inquiry  on  reaching  the  corps  v/as 
naturally  for  him,  nor  did  it  require  a  very  minute 
search  m  order  to  discover  him.     I  found  him  sittincr 
under  a  tree,  on  a  spot  of  ground  considerably  removed 
Irom  all  neighbours.     A  fa-e  was  burning  hard  by,  be- 
side which  his  servant  and  my  Portuguese  boy  were 
restmg-not  idly,  but  in  the  act  of  watching  a  potful  of 
greens  and  potatoes,  which  they  had  carried  off  from 
one  of  the  gardens  near.     A  couple  of  cheeses,  with 
some  pork  and  biscuit,  were  spread  upon  the  grass;  and 
a  liorn  drinkmg-cup  stood  beside  them.     This  was  our 
dmner,  which  had  been  prepared  for  some  time,  and 
was  kept  waiting  only  for  me.     We  had  breakfasted  at 
hve  m  the  morning,  and  were  therefore  quite  ready  for 
it,  even  thus  early;  and  we  addressed  ourselves  to  it 
wuh  the  promptitude  of  men,  whose  appetites  were  nei. 
ther  sir-kly  nor  fastidious. 

Having  performed  this  most  necessary  of  all  duties 
our  next  business  was  to  take  a  survey,  as  far  as    i 
might  be  practicable  and  safe  so  to  do,  of  the  nature  of 
he  ground  on  which  we  were  posted,  and  of  the  coun- 
ry  beyond  ,.     With  this  view  we  ascended  to  the  top 
of  the  height.     The  view  from  that  height  was  exten 
sive;  but  It  mtroduced  to  our  notice  little  besides  ono 
immense,  and  apparently  impervious  forest.     Immedi. 
ate  y  beneath  us,  indeed,  that  is,  along  the  descent,  and 
just  where  the  descent  ended,  the  fields  had  been  cleared. 
One  sohtary  cottage,  too,  was  visible,  about  musket-shot 
from  the  base,  which  was  surrounded,  as  almost  all  the 
houses  m  Virginia  are  surrounded,  by  an  extensive 
orchard ;  but  even  it  stood  in  a  nook  of  the  thicket,  giant 


I. 

the  corps  was 
I  very  minute 
nd  him  sitting 
rably  removed 
g  hard  by,  be- 
ucse  boy  were 
ing  a  potful  of 
rried  off  from 
cheeses,  with 
he  grass ;  and 
Tliis  was  our 
me  time,  and 
breakfasted  at 
Jite  ready  for 
-irselves  to  it 
ites  were  nci< 

of  all  duties, 
as  far  as  it 
the  nature  of 
of  the  coun- 
3d  to  the  top 
it  was  exten- 
•■  besides  one 
t.     Immedi- 
descent,  and 
leen  cleared, 
musket-shot 
most  all  the 
n  extensive 
licket,  giant 


A    SUBALTERN    ly    AMERICA.  J 3 

trees  ii;  full  ibliage  closing  it  in  on  every  side.     There 
were  tuo  roads  discernible,  one  leading  away  from  the 
nght  of  the  position,  the  other  running  dose  beside  th,- 
'<'lt.     i  lie  road  on  the  right  ^vas  narrow  and  broken  • 
it  presented  (he  appearance  of  nothing  more  tj.an  a  by- 
P^ith   to  sonic  hainlet  or  farm-house  near;  tlmt  on  the 
i'-'<t  wa.  01-  a  tolerable  width,  and,  though  deep  an.l 
^andy,  exhibited  symptoms  of  greater  care  and  labour 
"avmg  been  besto,ved  upon  it.     But  of  these,  neither 
■.■ould  be  traced  above  a  mile,  because  both  ^^•ere  lost  at 
that  distance  in  the  wood. 

We  descended  the  hill,  with  the  intention  of  pursuing 
'lu.'  track  on  the  right,  ailer  we  should  have  examined'' 
as  prudence  required  us  to  exai.une,  the  cottage  and  its 
out-buildmgs.     Jt  was  occupied  by  a  picquet  of  our  own 
t'-oops,  and,  as  might  be  expected,  was  already  in  a 
state  01  dilapidation.     Of  a  couple  of  pigs,  whidi  had 
occupied  a  sty  on  one  side  of  the  little  domicile,  nothing, 
remamed  now  except  the  hind  legs  of  one,  and  the  half 
ot  the  other,  the  rest  leaving  been  long  ago  divided 
among  the  messes  of  the  corps  which  furnished  the 
guard.     The  hen-roost,  too,  was  plundered,  at  least  a 
quantity  of  feathers  scattered  here  and  there  gave  proof- 
that  some  of  the  fowl-kind  Imd  suffered  a  violent  deatli 
not  long  ago.     In  other  respects  the  cottage  was  cir- 
cumstanced  as  most  cottages  are  which  have  the  bad 
fortune  to  fall  in  with  the  line  of  an  invading  army's 
out.posts,~that  is  to  say,  its  shell  stood  uninjured,  but 
its  interior  was  in  ruins. 

Having  satisfied  our  curiosity  here,  and  ascertain^ 
tl>^  direction  m  which  the  advanced  sentinels  extended, 


14 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


WG  were  proposing  to  accomplish  our  original  design, 
and  to  pursue  the  path  on  the  right,  when  the  arrival 
of  a  brother  officer  out  of  breath,  and  in  great  haste, 
deterred  us.     He  had  ventured  along  that  road,  and  ha- 
ving penetrated  about  a  couple  of  miles,  arrived  at  a 
farm-house  of  some  size.     Taking  it  for  granted  that 
this,  like  the  houses  in  St.  Benedicts,  must  be  deserted, 
he  had  rashly  entered,  and  escaped  being  made  prisoner 
by  three  or  four  scout  Yankees,  only  through  their  ap- 
prehension  that  he  was  not  alone.     He  purchased  a 
fowl  from  these  worthies,  and,  being  permitted  to  retire, 
lost  no  time,  as  soon  as  the  trees  concealed  him  from' 
observation,  in  hurrying  to  the  camp.     With  the  ac 
count  which  he  gave  of  matters,  we  were,  at  least  for 
the  present,  perfectly  satisfied;  so,  returning  to  our 
place  of  abode  under  the  tree,  we  passed  the  rest  of  the 
day  in  quiet. 

As  the  evening  closed  in,  all  the  arrangements,  cus- 
ternary  in  bivouacs,  were  etfected.  The  troops,  assemb- 
hng  near  their  arms,  trimmed  and  enlarged  their  fires, 
and  sat  down  by  companies  and  sections  on  the  ground 
beside  them.  Their  great-coats  were  all  put  on,  and 
their  accoutrements  buckled  over  them.  The  knap- 
sacks,  likewise,  packed  and  strapped  up,  were  so  ar- 
ranged  as  that  each  might  be  slung  across  its  owner's 
shoulders  at  a  moment's  warning;  or,  should  no  alarm 
occur,  supply  him  with  a  comfortable  pillow  for  the 
night.  Arrangements  not  dissimilar  were  also  c^ono 
into  by  the  officers.  Charlton  and  myself,  for  exam- 
pie,  having  suspended  our  sabres  from  a  branch,  laid 
our  haversacks  and  pistols  within  reach,  and,  wrappin- 


:cA. 

r  original  design, 
when  the  arrival 
I  in  great  haste, 
Imt  road,  and  ha- 
les, arrived  at  a 
for  granted  that 
nust  be  deserted, 
ig  made  prisoner 
hroiigh  their  ap- 
Mc  purchased  a 
rniitted  to  retire, 
cealed  him  from 
With  the  ac- 
ere,  at  least  for 
eturning  to  our 
d  the  rest  of  the 

angements,  cus- 
i  troops,  assemb- 
rged  their  fires, 
is  on  the  ground 
all  put  on,  and 
m.  The  knap- 
ip,  were  so  ar- 
oss  its  owner's 
should  no  alarm 
!  pillow  for  the 
were  also  gone 
^self,  for  exain- 
a  branch,  laid 
,  and,  wrapping 


I  A    SUBALTERN    tX   AMERICA.  jg 

I     our  cloaks  round  us  seated  ourselves,  with  our  feet 
I     towards  the  fire,  and  addressed  ourselves,  con  amore 
■      to  the  fragments  which  remained  from  our  noon-day  re- 
past.   We  were  neither  of  us  much  disposed  to  sleep ;  nor, 
indeed,  had  the  case  been  otherwise,  should  we  have 
found  11  an  easy  matter  to  drop  at  once  into  a  state  of 
forgetfulness.     The  sun  had  hardly  set,  when  every 
leaf  of  our  tree  became  alive  with  insects,  which  sent 
lorth  a  ceaseless  chattering,  not  perhaps  loud  enoucr},  to 
break  the  repose  of  a  sound  sleeper,  but  sufficiently  au- 
dible  to  drive  sleep  from  the  eyes  of  persons  totally 
unaccustomed  to  it,  and  neither  infirm  nor  weary.     It 
was,  however,  upon  the  whole,  an  extremely  pleas- 
ant  sound;  and  it  was  not  the  only  sound  which  gave 
us  pleasure.     Stores  continued  to  be  carried  from  the 
ships  to  the  shore  long  after  nightfall,  and  the  cry  of 
the  seamen  on  the  decks,  the  splash  of  oars  in  the  wa- 
ter,  and  the  heavy  noise  of  casks  and  carriages,  as 
they  were  rolled  into  the  bivouac,  all  had  an  effect  in 
keeping  alive  the  excitement,  which  men  ever  experi 
once  on  first  taking  the  field,  after  a  long  interval  of 
quiet.     Ihen  there  was  the  hum  of  conversation  from 
the  bivouac  itself;  a  song,  or  part  of  a  song,  heard 
from  time  to  time;  and  as  these  died  away,  the  mur- 
niur  of  the  river  rolling  its  large  and  sluggish  body  of 
water  towards  the  sea,  and  breaking  as  well  upon  its 
own  banks  as  upon  the  bows  of  the  ships,  now  at  an- 
chor  in  its  tide.     Each  and  all  of  these  made  a  music 
to  the  ear,  which  the  ear  could  not  refuse  to  take  in  • 
whilst,  for  the  sense  of  sight,  the  fire-flies  furnished 
ample  occupation,  as  in  numerous  clusters  they  pitched 


16 


'"    ^^^'"■^I'TEIl.N-    IN   AMERICA. 


grave  and  serious,  thc<.n  ci„i.,        j  ^"^  ^ 

.'.e.n  pc^c,  „„;,:t,  :;f  r  s,:;-*;,  ::r  r 

which  \vc  harl  nPl-^f^  i  """-rent  Jrom  those  to 

llie  onlhusiasm  even  of  solZr       ,f       ™"^*''-    ""' 

;™otae„,.,„rd;.:'„::t"^r;«,r'V"- 

'"'"•■">  labour  and  human  voice.  I    dualV   I    r*  "' 
-those  produced  by  u,secraLf  H        '^  '""'^'' 

••""feed  and  blend  J  wtr    V      TT  '^""^ 
lii-'MIy  became  more  .,11'°  ^P'^do'"'  of  the 

■md  ourei.ars  ev,  cnd^     "' '  ""  «'°S  wa«  drunk  cm, 

■.pon.he;ra,;:nt:;it;i:;"-^''''-^''' 


■I 


1: 


"*«"—— <i.  .--w». 


IKRICA. 

I   shed  a   soft   Jigjn 
Is  toll  once  illuminat- 
a's    bower.     To   be 
'fi  sounds,  some  of 
^orent  from  those  to 
icd,  long  hindered  us 
close  our  eyes.    But 
I  not  resist  the  en- 
r.     The  sounds  of 
^dually  died  away, 
ho  stream  became 
'  splendour  of  the 
3tinct,  and  was  at 
•og  was  drunk  out, 
ourselves  at  length 
leep. 


A   SUBALTERN  IN  AMERICA. 


17 


CHAPTER  ir. 


ADVANCE  OF  THE  BRITISH  ARMY. 

"    JLT  T'"  '^"'u'  "^'"  '^'  ^vell-known  bustle  of 
roops  standmg  to  their  arms,  broke  in  upon  our  slum- 

low.    r      ^''.'V? '^^""' °^  ^^^''^^^  had  all  burned 
low,    ours,    indeed,    was   totally  extinguished,-    and 
hough  the  extreme  mildness  of  the  climate  hindered 
us  from  experiencing  any  inconvenience  from  cold,  it 
cannot  be  said  that  we  awoke  in  absolute  comfort.     A 
heavy  dew  had  fallen  during  the  night,  which,  if  it 
hard  y  penetrated  ti.e  thick  folds  of  our  cloaks  and 
blankets,  hung  about  our  hair,  neck,  and  faces,  produc 
.ng  a  sensation  which  I  cannot  easily  describe,  though 
I  perfectly  recollect  that  it  was  the  reverse  of  agreeable. 
Nevertheless  we  rose  in  excellent  spirits  and  high  good 
humour,  and  took  post  beside  our  men,  in  confident 
expectation  that  an  immediate  advance  would  occur  as 
soon  as  there  should  be  light  enough  to  direct  our  steps. 
We  had  waited  thus  above  half  an  hour,  the  soldiers 
standing  with  ordered  arms  in  close  columns  of  com- 
panics,  and  the  officers   lounging  about  near  them, 
before  the  dawn  began  to  exhibit  itself  in  the  eastern 


18 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


horizon.     A  pale  yellow  light  rushed  up,  as  it  were, 
into  the  sky,  which  increasing  in  brilliancy  every  mo- 
ment,  brought  the  objects  around  us  gradually  into  no- 
tice.     The  houses  in  St,  Benedict's  rose  first  like  rocks 
upon  our  view,  then  the  vessels  in  the  river  were  seen 
like  trees  and  towers,  as  the  feeble  light  fell  upon  them; 
whilst  the  forest  beyond  continued  obscure  and  dark 
long  after,  till  the  sun's  redder  rays  began  to  strike 
thenn.     It  was  truly  a  magnificent  spectp.clc,  as  the  ap- 
proach  of  daylight  is,  under  all  circumstances  and  in 
all  situations.     But  the  object  which  most  strongly  at- 
fracted  our  attention,  was  a  dense— I  had  almost  said 
an  unpenetrable  fog,  which  was  now  seen  to  liang  over 
the  position  of  our  bivouac.     The  reader  has  perhaps 
stood  beside  a  salt-pan,  whilst  the  process  of  evaporat- 
ing  the  sea-water  was  carried  on,— if  so,  he  can  form 
a  pretty  accurate  notion  of  the  kind  of  mist  by  which 
we  were  now  surrounded,  and  which  very  satisfactorily 
accounted  for  those  stiffened  joints  and  aching  bones 
which  had  affected  most  of  us  when  we  awaked.     As 
the  sun  rose,  however,  the  fog  quickly  cleared  away; 
and  when  the  order  to  dismiss  and  prepare  our  break- 
fasts was  given,  it  had  entirely  disappeared. 

Our  morning  meal  being  consumed,  we  began,  not 
unnaturally,  to  indulge  in  surmises  and  speculations 
touching  our  future  proceedings.  Contrary  to  the  ex- 
pectations  which  had  been  formed,  no  hint  was  dropped 
about  moving,  and  as  we  all  knew  General  Ross  suffi. 
cently  to  be  aware,  that  there  could  be  no  disinclination 
on  his  part  to  carry  on  the  war  with  vigour,  we  looked 
now  for  some  other  cause  of  a  delay,  which,  on  every 


ERICA. 

lied  up,  as  it  were, 
jvilliancy  every  mo- 
s  gradually  into  no- 
rose  first  like  rocks 
the  river  were  seen 
light  fell  upon  them; 

obscure  and  dark 
ys  began  to  strike 
ipectr.clc,  as  the  ap- 
curnstances  and  in 
h  most  strongly  at- 
-I  had  almost  said 
^  seen  to  liang  over 
reader  has  perhaps 
ocess  of  evaporat- 
-if  so,  he  can  form 
1  of  mist  by  which 
I  very  satisfactorily 

and  aching  bones 

we  awaked.     As 
kly  cleared  away ; 
irepare  our  break- 
peared. 
ed,  we  began,  not 

and  speculations 
Dntrary  to  the  ex- 
)  hint  was  dropped 
eneral  Ross  suffi- 
e  no  disinclination 
vigour,  we  looked 

which,  on  every 


A  SUBALTERN   IN  AMERICA.  JQ 

account,  we  united  in  deploring.    Long  previous  to  the 
disembarkation,~a3  early,  indeed,  as  the  entrance  of 
the  fleet  mto  the  bay,-the  several  regiments  had  re- 
ce.ved  mstructions  as  to  their  order;  and  to  each  of  the 
three  brigades  into  which  the  army  was  divided,  acorn- 
mandant  had  been  appointed.     It  could  not,  therefore 
be  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  his  troops  that  our 
leader  abstained  from  advancing.    But  there  were  stores 
to  be  landed,  a  medical  and  commissariot  department  to 
be  arranged,  and  dispositions  to  bo  -lade  for  a  speedy 
and  safe  reshipment,  in  case  of  an)  M./erse  or  check 
.n  our  operations.     Besides,  it  was  not  quite  certain 
that  the  end  of  the  debarkation  had  as  yet  been  deter- 
mined  on      The  most  prevalent  rumour,  indeed,  spoke 
of  a  flotilla  of  gun-boats  on  the  river ;  and  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  a  co-operation  between  the  fleet  and  the  army 
to  secure  its  capture;  but  whether  even  now,  the  gene-' 
ral  or  admiral  were  not  calculating  their  means  for  the 
attainment  of  a  higher  object,  is,  to  say  the  least  of  it, 
doubtful.     Be  this,  however,  as  it  may,  one  thing  an- 
peared  very  certain,  namely,  that  there  was  but  a  slen- 
der chance  of  our  effecting  anything,  or  making  any 
progress,  during  the  day.  ^ 

Having  remained  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  posi- 
tion  till  noon,  I  determined,  in  company  with  a  friend 
my  brother  subaltern,  whose  name  was  Williams,  to 
proceed  upon  a  foraging  excursion  up  the  country. 
With  this  view  we  took  the  right-hand  road,  of  which 
I  have  already  spoken,  and  arrived,  after  a  walk  of 
about  a  couple  of  miles,  at  a  farm  house.  It  was  the 
-same  which  another  officer  had  visited  during  the  pre- 


I- 


80 


A    SUBALTERN   IN    AMERICA. 


vious  day ;  and  if,  as  I  have  no  reason  to  doubt,  he 
really  found  it  uninjured,— marauders  had  been  busy 
enough  betwcon  the  period  of  his  ramble  and  ours.     It 
was  now  thoroughly  ransacked.     Scarcely  an  article 
of  furniture  remained  entire;  and  as  to  living  creatures, 
there  M-as  not  one  to  be  seen  in  its  vicinity.     \v'e  left  it 
behind,  and  went  forward.     A  further  walk,  of  perhaps 
half  a  mile,  brought  us  to  a  poor  cottage,  situated  about 
a  stone's  throw  from  the  road,  the  general  style  and  ar- 
chitccture  of  which  bespoke  it  as  being  the  residence  of 
some  new  settler.     Even  it  had  not  escaped  the  rapa- 
city  of  stragglers.     Its  hogsty  was  torn  down,  its  poul- 
try-house  broken  open,  and  its  little  garden  robbed  of 
almost  every  cabbage  and  potatoe  that  grew  m  it. 
There  was  a  wretched  old  woman  here,  who  bej.  n  to 
weep  bitterly  as  soon  as  she  beheld  us.     With  «ome 
difficulty  we  managed  to  convince  her  that  from  us  she 
had  nothing  to  apprehend  ;  and  having  informed  her  of 
what  we  were  in  quest,  she  produced,  as  she  declared, 
her  last  fowl:  for  which  she  was  astonished  at  bein- 
paid  by  a  quarter-dollar  piece.     This  act  of  barter  on 
our  parts  restored  her  to  herself,  and  we  were  not  less 
gratified  than  surprised  to  learn,  that  she  had  suffered 
no  injury  from  the  British  troops;  but  that  her  son, 
with  whom  she  lived,  had  himself  driven  off  the  ho^s 
and  let  the  poultry  loose  into  the  woods.     We  likewL' 
learned  that  there  were  neither  villages  nor  farm-houses 
within  SIX  miles  of  her  cabin,  a  space  of  country  which 
we  did  not  deem  it  prudent  to  traverse.     So  wishing 
her  good  morning,  we  directed  our  steps  backwards, 
and  reached  the  bivouac  unmolested. 


¥ 


ERICA. 

reason  to  doubt,  he 
era  had  been  busy 
UTible  and  ours.  It 
Scarcely  an  article 

to  living  creatures, 
•icinity.  \v'e  left  it 
icr  walk,  of  perhaps 
;tage,  situated  about 
sneral  style  and  ar- 
ing  the  residence  of 
t  escaped  the  rapa- 
torn  down,  its  poui- 

garden  robbed  of 

that  grew  in  it. 
ere,  who  bei    n  to 

us.  With  some 
;r  that  from  us  she 
tig  informed  her  of 
I,  as  she  declared, 
stonishcd  at  beina 
s  act  of  barter  on 

we  were  not  less 
it  she  had  suffered 
but  that  her  son, 
iven  off  the  hogs, 
ds.  We  likewise 
s  nor  farm-houses 

of  country  which 
rse.  So  wishing 
steps  backwards. 


■¥ 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA.  21 

On  returning  to  our  home  under  the  tree,  we  found 
'm    Charlton  and  the  servants  had  been  far  more  a", 
tively,  or  rather  successfully,  employed  than  ourselves. 
A  p.g,  a  goose,  and  a  barn-door  fowl,  bore  testimony  to 
he  zeal  and  diligence  with  which  they  had  conducted 
themselves;  and  these  being  all  in  an  advanced Ite of 
preparation,  we  looked  forward  with  satisfaction  to  the 
<'n,,oyment  of  a  substantial  and  delicate  repast.     But  as 
the  poet  expresses  himself— 

"  The  best  laid  schomoe  of  nice  and  men 
Gang  aft  awry;" 

an  aphorism  for  the  truth  of  which  we  could  this  day 
pamfully  vouch.     Our  messes  were  just  laid  upon  the 
gmss,  and  we  had  taken  our  seats  beside  them,  when 
the  bugles  suddenly  sounded.     Mortified,  as  it  was  but 
natural  that  we  should  be,  at  an  occurrence  so  ill-timed, 
f  there  remamed  for  us  only  one  course  to  pursue.     Wo 
^  took  each  in  his  hand  as  much  meat  and  bread  as  ho 
behoved  that  he  should  be  able  to  consume  whilst  on 
the  march,  and  the  rest  was  unceremoniously  bestowed 
in  our  own  and  our  men's  haversacks;  we  buckled  on 
our  accoutrements,  and  slung  our  baggage  on  our  backs 
and  hurried  off  to  our  stations. 

A  few  minutes  only  elapsed,  before  the  whole  army 
.'onsisting  of  near  four  thousand  men,  and  divided  aJ 
I  have  already  stateo,  into  three  brigades,  drew  up  in 
the  order  in  which  it  was  designed  to  move,  [t  was 
my  fortune  to  be  attached  to  the  light  brigade;  which 
as  forming  the  advance,  took  post  at  the  bead  of  the' 
<x)Iumn.  This  force,  which  was  composed  of  the  85th 
regiment,  the  light  companies  of  the  4th,  81st,  and  44tb. 
3* 


22 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


one  company  of  marines,  and  a  hundred  armed  nn- 
groes,  might  muster  about  twelve  hundred  bayonets, 
and  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Thornton.  The  se- 
cond brigade  again,  at  the  head  of  which  was  Colonel 
Brook,  comprised  the  4th  and  44th  regiments;  whilst 
the  third,  led  on  by  Colonel  Patcrson,  was  made  up  of 
the  21st  regiment,  and  a  battalion  of  marines.  Tiie 
park  of  artillery,  again,  amounted  to  no  more  than  three 
pieces,  one  six,  and  two  thrce-poundcrs ;  and  it  was  ren- 
dered doubly  incfik-ieiit  from  the  total  absence  of  horses. 
The  guns,  with  their  tumbrils  and  ammunition-waggons, 
were  dragged  by  seamen ;  the  gunners  and  drivers  fol- 
lowed on  foot,  and  the  progress  wliich  they  made  was 
as  tardy  as  the  deep  and  sandy  nature  of  the  roads  au- 
thorized us  to  expect. 

The  different  corps  had  already  taken  their  stations, 
and  were  in  anxious  expectation  of  the  word  to  march, 
when,  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  General  Ross, 
accompanied  by  his  aides-de-camp  and  stafl',  rode  up. 
No  preconcerted  plan  had  been  arranged,  nor  had  the 
slightest  wish  been  expressed  on  the  part  of  the  oflficers ; 
but  his  appearance  amongst  tliem  was  hailed  by  loud 
and  reiterated  shouts  from  the  men.  The  thing  was 
wholly  involuntary,  and  it  failed  not  to  cause  the  grati- 
fication which  it  was  calculated  to  produce.  The  Ge- 
neral pulled  off  his  hat,  smiled  and  bowed  to  his  sol- 
diers; and  then  addressing  himself  to  the  officer  in 
command,  desired  that  he  would  lead  on.  Another 
hearty  cheer  followed  the  delivery  of  this  order,  and 
the  march  began. 

The  order  in  which  this  inroad  was  effected  has  been 


ft 


ICA. 

i>dred  armed  nr- 
undrcd  bayonets, 
jrnton.  The  sc- 
liich  was  Colonel 
rcgimnnts;  whilst 
,  was  made  up  of 
)f  marines.  Tiie 
lO  more  than  three 
:s ;  and  it  was  ren- 
abscnce  of  horses, 
lunition-waggons, 
rs  and  drivers  fol- 
;h  they  made  was 
)  of  the  roads  au- 

kcn  their  stations, 
le  word  to  march, 
ion,  General  Ross, 
id  stafl*,  rode  up. 
riged,  nor  had  the 
irt  of  the  officers ; 
iras  hailed  by  loud 
The  thing  was 
to  cause  the  grati- 
oduce.  The  Ge- 
bowed  to  his  sol- 
to  the  officer  in 
)ad  on.  Another 
Df  this  order,  and 

I  effected  has  been 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMRRlrA.  28 

•SO  accurately  described  elsewhere,  that  I  deem  it  quite 
unnecessary  to  enter  here  at  any  length  into  the  detail; 
The  advanced  guard,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Hrown  ot  the  85th  regin,cnt,  ,od  the  way.  It  consist'ecl 
of  throe  companies  of  light  infantry ;  two  of  which 
moved  m  column  along  the  road,  whilst  the  third  ex- 

After  tins  body,  at  a  coHain  interval,  .  ame  the  light 
brigade,  wluch  also  furnished  a  -ompany  or  two,  to 
■scour  the  woods.     I  fpon  the  heels  of  the  light,  followed 

01  a  1  the  th.rd  brigade,  which  furnished  the  rear-^ruard 
.Such  were  the  arrangements  n.ade  by  our  genemi  al 
once  to  Inndersurpriscand  guard  agaLt  am'busrade: 
lor  a  ha|^,y  application  of  which  the  nature  of  the 
country  ufFordod  every  facility.     The  reader  must  no  v 
-ar  m  rmnd  that  we  were  now  about  to  penetrate 
hrou,h  immense  forests,  scantily  chequered  here  and 
-re  with  spots  of  cultivated  ground.     Though  to  us 
these  forests  seemed  pathless,  it  was  hardly  to  be  ev- 
pected,  that  there  M.re  not  many  lanes  and  roads  e  t 
here  and  there  by  the  inhabitants,  along  which,  if  any 
en  crpnse  or  talent  guided  their  counsels,  bodies  of  re- 
gular  troops  might  be  moved;  whilst  the  well-known 
confidence  of  the  Americans  In  their  rifles,  and  their 
leZthr^"  -ti^tion  of  their  own  skill  as  marksmen, 
led  to  the  supposition  that  we  should  not  proceed  far 
without  faUing  in  with  one  or  more  partie'sof "olu t 

tighting.     To-day,  however,  nothing  of  the  kind  oc 
curred.     Neither  the  leading  files  nofthe  flank  patroles' 


f 


I 


24 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


saw  an  enemy,  and  the  column  pressed  forward,  not 
only  unmolested,  but  without  having  its  spirits  onceele- 
vated  by  the  sound  of  firing. 

And,  in  truth,  it  was  well  for  us  that  we  were  not, 
on  the  present  occasion,  either  brought  into  action,  or 
or  harassed  by  any  needless  formations.     For  never, 
perhaps,  did  an  army  exhibit  such  symptoms  of  defi- 
ciency,  not  in  courage,  but  in  bodily  strength,  as  we  all 
exhibited  this  day.     Nor  is  that  a  circumstance  hard 
to  be  accounted  for.     In  the  first  place,  the  soldiers, 
unaccustomed  during  three  months  to  the  weight  of 
their  arms  and  baggage,  found  the  burden,  at  present 
imposed  upon  them,  too  great  for  their  enervated  con- 
dition to  endure.     Even  the  oldest  and  best  of  our  vete- 
rans complained ;  whilst  the  younger  men,  and  those 
who  had  lately  joined  from  England,  soon  sank  under 
it.     In  the  next  place,  we,  unfortunately,  began  our  jour- 
ney  at  the  very  hour  when,  in  a  climate  like  that  of  Vir- 
ginia,  the  ordinary  traveller  thinks  of  resting.     The 
heat  was  more  intolerable  than  I  have  any  language  to 
describe.     There  was  not  a  breath  of  air  in  motion ; 
the  sun  was  bright,  and  the  sky  perfectly  cloudless  ; 
whilst  the  deep  fine  sand,  of  which  the  roar!  was  com- 
posed, not  only  gave  way  beneath  our  tread,  but  rose 
in  masses  about  us,  filling  our  eyes,  and  even  obstruct- 
ing our  respiration.     It  so  happened  that  to-day  I  was 
not  employed  with  either  the  advanced  guard  or  the 
flankers.     My  station  was  with  the  column ;  and  it  was 
really  painful  to  see  those  whom  I  knew  to  be  among 
the  bravest  and  best  soldiers  in  the  army,  dropping,  on(^ 
after  another,  upon  the  banks  by  the  wav  side.     W'c 


-^      .^  „.,i^..- 


CA. 

sed  forward,  not 
s  spirits  once  cle- 
at we  were  not, 
it  into  action,  or 
ns.    For  never, 
mptoms  of  defi- 
rength,  as  we  all 
cumstance  hard 
ice,  the  soldiers, 
o  the  weight  of 
rden,  at  present 
1'  enervated  con- 
best  of  our  vete- 
men,  and  those 
Don  sank  under 
,  began  our  jour- 
like that  of  Vir- 
f  resting.     The 
any  language  to 
'  air  in  motion  ; 
ectly  cloudless  ; 
roarl  was  com- 
tread,  but  rose 
i  even  obstruct- 
lat  to-day  I  was 
'd  guard  nr  the 
min ;  and  it  was 
3w  to  be  anion" 
^',  dropping,  one 
way  side.     W'c 


Si 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


25 


passed,  in  our  march,  more  than  one  stream  of  water 

,     As  may  be  imagined,  there  was  no  keeping  the  men  in 

.on-  ranks  on  tliese  occasions;  and,  indeed,  to  speak 

fho  truth,     became  myself,  at  last,  so  completely  over- 

powered,  that  I  not  only  ceased   to  forbid  Iheir  haltin. 

The  sun  had  set,  and,  as  is  the  case,  in  this  quarter 
o/  the  u-or  d,  darkness  was  fast  following  his  departure, 
when,  to  the  inexpressible  satisfaction  of  every  officer 
and  man  in  the  army,  the  halt  was  sounded.     ^Vc  had 
reached  a  space  of  ground  more  open  than  usual,  and 
..us  sufficiently  elevated  to  give  to  us,  in  case  of  an  .at- 
tack the  advantage  of  a  rising  ground.     On  the  slope 
ol  this  and  among  a  [ow  stubble-fields,  the  different 
corps  drew  up.     The  guns  were  then,  as  usual,  dra.gc  d 
to  the  summit,  the  arms  were  piled,  fires  were  lig&ed 
and  the  ordmary  preparations  for  a  bivouac  gone  through  • 
u   ,n  these,  and  in  the  rest  which  was  to^follow  then 
.fell  not  to  the  lot  of  my  friend  or  myself  to  take  p  r  t.' 
As  soon  as  the  column  halted,  we  were  called  upon  to 
muster  our  company,  and  moved  off  towards  the  front 
whc^th^chargeofoneoftheout-picquetswa^ 

a  I!lofT!u  ^"''*^''' ''"'  ^''^^"*  ^^°"'  ^  q^^rter  of 
near  h!  "/  T''  ''  "'^  ^  ^^^"^■'-"-'  -'"^^^^ 
build  n!     'Tf-  r ''''''''  ""y  """"^-"^  l^---  -nd 

seiST'-r    "'"'''  '^""^"^  ''  ''y^  '-^  '-^  been  de- 
seited  by  its  inmates.     Of  these,  however,-at  least  of 
the  fema,es,~we  saw  nothing,-  the  father  an  old,  w  I 
ther-beaten,  rough-spoken  personage,  alon    mak    g  hi 


r 


26 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


appearance.  He  was  a  keen  democrat,  a  thorouch 
Yankee,  and  abhorred  the  English  with  all  his  heart ; 
a  feeling  which  he  took  no  care  to  conceal,  and  which 
we,  of  course,  resented  only  by  turning  it  into  ridicule. 
He  spoke  much  of  the  iniquity  of  our  invasion ;  but 
comforted  himself  by  anticipating  the  utter  destruction 
of  those  engaged  in  it,  who  would,  a.s  he  asserted,  be 
opposed  by  the  bravest  men,  and  the  most  expert  shots, 
which  the  whole  world  could  produce.  His  two  sons, 
he  informed  us,  had  gone  off  only  this  morning  to  join 
the  army,  and  his  principal  source  of  regret  appeared  to 
be,  that  his  own  age  and  infirmities  hindered  him  from 
joining  in  it  also.  The  reader  will  easily  believe,  that 
we  enjoyed  the  old  man's  conversation  a  great  deal 
more,  than  if  he  had  pretended  to  sentiments  which  he 
could  hardly  experience,  or  put  on  a  manner  which  was 
not  natural  to  him.  Nor,  to  say  the  truth,  was  he  moro 
hostile  in  his  language,  than  he  jjvoved  himself  friendly 
in  his  behaviour  as  a  landlord.  He  produced  his  bread 
and  cheese  and  peach-whisky,  liberally  and  freely ;  and 
though  he  drank  to  our  speedy  defeat,  we  willingly 
joined  him,  if  not  in  his  sentiment,  at  all  events  in  his 
potations. 

The  greater  part  of  our  time  was,  however,  spent 
out  of  doors.  Though  there  was  no  enemy  in  sight, 
nor,  as  far  as  we  could  learn,  any  force  collected  within 
a  day's  march  of  us,  we  were  not  on  that  account  the 
less  careful  to  see  that  the  sentries  occupied  proper  posts, 
and  were  attentive  to  their  duty.  On  the  contrary,  the 
circumstance  that  we  knew  not  where  to  look  for  dan- 
ger,'induced  us  the  more  cautiously  to  guard  against  it; 


I 


ERICA. 

nocrat,  a  thorough 
with  all  his  heart; 
conceal,  and  which 
ning  it  into  ridicule, 
f  our  invasion  ;  but 
he  utter  destruction 
i,  a.s  he  asserted,  be 
B  most  expert  shots, 
ice.  His  two  sons, 
this  morning  to  join 
)f  regret  appeared  to 
1  hindered  him  from 

easily  believe,  that 
■sation  a  great  deal 
lentiments  which  he 

manner  which  was 
3  truth,  was  he  moro 
ved  himself  friendly 

produced  his  bread 
illy  and  freely ;  and 
Icfeat,  we  willingly 
at  all  events  in  his 

I'as,  however,  spent 
no  enemy  in  sight, 
irce  collected  within 
m  that  account  the 
cupied  proper  posts, 
>n  the  contrary,  th(^ 
3re  to  look  for  dan- 
to  guard  against  it : 


A    SUBALTERN    IJV    A3IERICA.  37 

.•uul  as  it  might  come  upon  us  from  either  flank,  or  from 
the  rear,  just  as  readily  as  from  the  front,  the  whole  en- 
-mpment  was  girdled  in  by  a  circle  of  watchmen. 
These  took  the,r  ground  at  the  distance  of  perhaps  half 
musket  ^,ot  from  the  different  picqucts  which  furnished 
'horn,     fhcy  stood  not  more  than  forty  or  fifty  yards 
i'part  from  one  another,  and  except  upon  tl,e  great  road 
n.ey  stood  .ngly.     On  the  road,  again,  tlJe  were  a 
-up le  planted  together,  in  order  that  one  might  from 
time  to  t.me  patrol  onwards  to  ascertain  whethcT  all  was 
safe,  whilst  the  other  remained  stationary.     It  was  our 
_  busmess  to  see  that  these  respectively  fulfilled  the  trusts 
-posed  m  them ;  and  the  busmess  was  one  which  couW 
o  be  otherwise  accomplished  except  by  constantly  tra- 
^o.su.g  from  one  extremity  of  the  chain  to  tho  other. 
For  several  hours,  no  other  inconvenience  attended 

/citigue,  for  which  the  toilsome  march  of  the  day  had 

amp'yP;-PYed  us;  but  towards  midnight  the  case  was 

I'fferent.     A  mass  of  black  clouds  suddenly  collected 

together  and  the  stars,  which  but  a  moment  ago  W 

::  rej*^"?;"  ^  r  ^'-^  -'^^  ^^^^  compiftei;  r 

^cured.  A  tremendous  storm  of  thunder,  lightning 
and  ram  ensued.     There  was  not  a  breath  of lindk 

Trcr^ut^sr  r'  ^ '-  ^^^^  ^'^  ^^^-  « 

down  ll  .  ."  "''  ''"'"'  '"^  '^'  ^^^"  ^"^hed 
eZ  r  u  '^"'  '"  perpendicular  streams.  The 
effect  of  such  a  storm,  echoed  back  as  it  was  from  the 

uck  woods  around,  was  awful  in  no  ordinary  de^r 
:  "f  every  flash  of  lightning  gave  to  the  eye  a  ml' 
mentary  ghmpse  of  scenery,  such  as  no  powers  of  L. 


i 


28 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


guage  are  adequate  to  describe.  The  pathless  forests, 
which  on  every  side  formed  the  back-ground,  the  few 
cultivated  fields  which  intervened  between  them  and  the 
house,  the  very  palings  and  hedges  which  intersected 
them,  with  the  curved  line  of  sentinels,  standing  mo- 
tionless r.t  their  posts — all  these,  as  well  as  the  sweep 
of  the  road,  were  seen  for  an  instant  as  distinctly  as  at 
noonday ;  and  then  a  darkness,  thicker  and  more  im- 
penetrable than  before,  enshrouded  them.  No  doubt 
there  was  much  to  admire  in  all  this,  perhaps  sufficient, 
or  more  than  sufficient,  to  compensate  for  the  inconve- 
nience of  a  sound  ducking,  where  a  change  of  habili- 
ments  was  to  be  procured;  but,  on  the  present  occasion, 
it  must  be  confessed,  that  we  would  have  willingly  dis- 
pensed with  all  that  was  sublime  in  the  occurrence,  in 
exchange  for  a  little  dry  weather,  no  matter  how  tame 
or  monotonous. 

It  was  not,  however,  for  us  to  choose.  The  storm 
took  its  course,  and  having  continued  with  unabated 
violence  during  two  hours,  gradually  died  away.  The 
rain  ceased  to  fall,  the  clouds  dispersed  themselves,  and 
the  little  stPcrs  shone  forth  again,  like  the  eyes  of  a 
Ixiauty  whose  tears  have  ceased  to  flow  ;  and  the  rest 
of  the  night,  accordingly,  was  spent  in  as  much  of  quiet 
and  comfort  as  it  usually  falls  to  the  lot  of  soldiers  upon 
an  outpost  duty  to  enjoy. 


•I 


I 


ICA. 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


20 


i  pathless  forests, 
[■ground,  the  few 
vecn  them  and  the 
which  intersected 
els,  standing  mo- 
r'ell  as  the  sweep 
as  distinctly  as  at 
or  and  more  im- 
hem.  No  doubt 
icrhaps  sufficient, 
!  for  the  inconve- 
"hange  of  habili- 
present  occasion, 
ave  willingly  dis- 
le  occurrence,  in 
matter  how  tame 

Dse.  The  storm 
;d  with  unabated 
lied  awa3\  The 
\  themselves,  and 
e  the  eyes  of  a 
ow  ;  and  the  rest 
as  much  of  quiet 
t  of  soldiers  upon 


CHAPTER  III. 


«KIRMISII  WITH  THE  ENEMV. 

In  obedience  to  the  customs  of  war  in  like  cases,  our 
|)icqucl  got  under  arms,  and  was  drawn  up  in  front  of 
I  lie  house,  two  hours  before  sunrise.  No  enemy,  how- 
ever, made  his  appearance,  nor  did  any  rumour  of  an 
enomy  come  in  to  put  us  more  than  previously  on  tlie 
alert;  but  we  continued  to  preserve  our  ranks  as  if  an 
army  were  in  our  front,  till  directions  readied  us  from 
r<!ar  iiow  wc  were  to  act.  The  column,  it  appeared, 
uas  in  readiness,  and  would  set  out  on  the  first  blink  of 
dawn ;  and  as  our  company  already  occui)icd  the  road 
by  which  it  was  to  move,  wo  were  ordered  to  perform 
the  duty  of  the  l'>nding  division  of  the  advanced  guanl. 

It  was  yet  but  tlie  grey  of  the  morning,  when  Major 
Brown  made  his  appearance,  and  wc  began  ourmarcii. 
The  road,  like  that  of  yesterday,  was  deep  and  sandy ; 
but  our  men  appeared  refreshed  to  a  degree  which  could 
have  hardly  been  expected,  and  kept  up,  as  they  had 
been  accustomed  to  keep  up,  when  marches  were  to 
them  events  of  every  day's  occurrence.  All,  too,  both 
officers  and  ])rivates,  seemed  to  catch  additional  energy 


30 


A   SrBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


4 


from  the  recollection  that  there  was  nothing  friendly  in 
front  of  them.  It  was  truly  fi  journey  of  adventure 
and  discovery ;  but  ns  the  reader  may  not  be  aware  of 
the  kind  of  order  which  tljc  advanced  companies  of  an 
army  preserve,  and  the  species  of  feeling  which  ani- 
mates the  individuals  who  compose  these  comjianies 
may  be  strange  to  him,  I  shall  not,  perliaps,  run  any 
liazard  of  wearying  liis  patience,  if  1  endeavour  to  make 
liim  accjuainted  here  with  both  the  one  and  the  other. 

Charlton's  company,  that  to  which  I  was  attached, 
consisted  of  a  captain,  two  subalterns,  tliree  sergeants, 
and  fifty  rank  and  iWc.    It  was  thus  distributed  :— Along 
the  high  road  moved  lirst  of  all  two  fdes  of  men  and  a 
serg(.ant,  one  file  about  tw(^nty  paces  ahead  of  the  other. 
Parallel  with  the  most  forward  lile,  twenty  men  spread 
themselves,  by  pairs,  or  files,  each  pair  or  file  keeping 
about  ten  paces  apart  from  the  others,  on  each  side  o} 
the  way;  by  which  means  the  woods  or  fields  were 
swept  on  both  flanks  to  the  extent  of  two  hundred  paces. 
In  rear  of  the  last  of  the  two  files,  but  full  twenty  paces 
behind,  moved  the  remainder  of  the  company.     About 
twenty  paces,  again,  behind  that  small  section,  the  two 
remaining  companies  advanced,  coming  on  in  compart 
array,  unless,  indeed,  some  alarr.i  chanced  to  be  given, 
when  they,  too,  instantly  extended  through  the  fields' 
Thus  our  movement  resembled  rather  that  of  sports- 
men,  when,  in  large  bodies,  they  surround  a  wood  or 
draw  a  preserve,  than  that  of  soldiers,  at  least  soldiers 
"pon  a  parade;  and  perhaps,  if  the  truth  be  spoken, 
our  feelings  were  as  much  akin  to  those  of  the  first 
named  class  of  persons  as  to  those  of  the  last.    For 


i 


RICA. 

nothing  friendly  in 
rnoy  of  adventure 
ly  not  be  aware  of 
d  companies  of  an 
feeling  which  ani- 
3  these  comjianics 
perliaps,  run  any 
jndeavourtoniakc 
ic  and  the  other, 
h  I  was  attached, 
3,  three  sergeants, 
stributcd : — Along 
files  of  men  and  a 
ihead  of  the  other, 
tventy  men  spread 
lir  or  fde  keeping 
,  on  each  side  of 
ds  or  fields  were 
w  hundred  paces. 
t  full  twenty  paces 
:ompany.     About 
II  section,  the  two 
(ig  on  in  compart 
meed  to  be  givon, 
rough  the  [ields. 
or  that  of  sports- 
round  a  wood  or 
,  at  least  soldiers 
truth  be  spoken, 
those  of  the  first 
of  the  last.    For 


A  SUBALTKRN  IN  A>IERICA. 


31 


myself,  I  freely  confess,  that  I  brushed  through  the  un- 
derwood, and  traversed  the  enclosures,  more  in  the  spi- 
rit of  one  beating  for  game  than  looking  out  for  oppo- 
nents; and  if  a:./ judgment  may  be  formed  from  the 
merry  chat  and  rude  repartees  of  those  about,  a  similar 
spirit  animated  the  men. 

But  though  our  occupation  was  productive  of  much 
merriment  and  very  considerable  excitement,  it  must  be 
confessed,  that  the  fatigue  which  accompanied  it  began, 
l)elbre  many  hours  liad  expired,  to  counterbalance  in  no 
slight  degree  both  the  one  and  the  other  of  these  advan- 
l;ig(\s.  The  woods,  be  it  remembered,  were  thick  and 
tangled,  and  the  grass  that  grew  under  the  taller  trees 
seldom  reached  lower  than  our  hips,  and  often  passed 
'iiir  middles.  Besides,  uo  enemy  appeared  to  interrupt 
our  progress;  and  there  was  a  sameness  in  searching 
euiitinually  to  no  purpose,  and  in  expecting  for  ever, 
without  having  the  expectation  gratified.  Under  these 
i^ircumstances,  we  were  by  no  means  displeased,  when, 
towards  noon,  our  bugles  sounded  the  halt.  At  this 
particular  moment,  I  and  my  section  were  extended  on 
I  he  right  of  the  road,  and  occupied  part  of  a  wood, 
which  presented  every  appearance  of  having  continued 
unmolested  since  the  days  ol"  Noah.  But  as  the  blast 
ilid  not  call  us  in,  we  were  at  no  loss  to  discover  that 
the  halt  was  merely  temporary,  and  that  the  ground  of 
encampment  for  the  night  could  not  yet  bo  in  view. 
We  lay  down,  however,  where  we  were,  well  pleased 
that  an  opportunity  of  resting  our  weary  limbs  was  af- 
forded, and,  unbuckling  our  haversacks,  addressed  our- 


33 


I 


1  i 


A    SUUALTERN    I.N    AMERICA. 


selves  with  extreme;  good  will  to  tlic  remnants  of  sucii 
provisions  as  could  still  be  found  there. 

It  chanced,  that  in  scouring  these  forests,  we  had  put 
np,  among  other  aninuiLs,  a  leveret,  which  a  jjoodle  dog, 
flic  property  of  my  friend  Charlton,  chased  and  caught. 
'I'hc  reader  will  easily  believe  that  poor  puss  was  not  ;\ 
little  baffled  and  confused  by  the  shouts  and  cries  with 
which  our  men  animated  the  piu-.sucr,  and  thai  nothing 
like  fair  play  vas  granted  to   her  in  her  ellorts  to  e.s- 
capo.     Taking  advantage  ol'  this  pause,  a  few  of  the 
soldiers  set  to  work,  skinned  and  cut  up  (he  hare,  light- 
ed  a  fire,  and  were  preparing  to  dress  it,  when  adr- 
cumstancc  occurred,  which  in  nn  instant  called  off  our 
attention  to  dthcr  ;inil  more  important  mattrrs.     "  \\'hat 
IS  that?"  said  a  corporal,  who  stood   beside  me,  whilst 
I  was  watching  tlie  progress  of  dissecting  the  leveret. 
"Do  you  not  see  something,  sir,  moving  through  thos(> 
iHishes  to  the  right  ?"     I  looked  instantly  in  tlie  direc- 
tion towards  which  the  soldier  pointed,  and' beheld  plamly 
enough  a  flash,  like  that  m  hich  the  sudden  fulling  of  "a 
sun-beam  on  bright  arms  produces.     There  was  no 
room   to  doubt  from  what  source  that  flash  proceeded. 
My  bugle  sounded   the  alarm,  the  men  stood  to  their 
arms,  and  Me  dashed  forward  to  the  copse.     It  was  as 
1  anticipated.     A  body  of  the  enemy,  perhaps  an  hun- 
dred and  fifty  in  number,  were  there.     Perceiving  by 
our  movement  that  they  were  discovered,  they  instantly 
opened  their  hre,  and  a  very  pretty  and  interesting  sk.'r- 
mish  began.     It  was  not,  however,  of  long  continuance. 
M  0  rushed  on,  the  men  firing  as  an  opportunity  offered, 


i 


4 


ERICA. 

^  remnants  of  such 

(.TO. 

I  forests,  \\Q  IkuI  put 
Avhicli  a  jjoodle  dog, 
clicised  and  cauylit. 
)oor  puss  was  not  n 
outs  and  cries  m  itli 
■r,  and  that  notliinji- 
n  lier  cllorts  to  es- 
pauso,  a  Ccw  of  tlic 
t  up  the  hare,  li<dit- 
ress  it,  wlien  a  cir- 
stant  called  otr  our 
matters.     "What 
beside  nie,  whilst 
:;cting  the  leveret, 
ving  through  those 
anlly  in  the  dircc- 
,and  beheld  plainly 
luddcn  fullinn;  of  a 
i.     There   was  no 
It  flash  proceeded, 
uen   stood  to  tlifir 
copse.     It  was  as 
,  perhaps  an  hun- 
0.     Perceiving  by 
red,  they  instantly 
id  interesting  sk;'i'- 
long  continuance, 
iportunityoflercd, 


A   SITBALTERX    IN    AMERICA. 


33 


and  covering  themselves  all  the  while,  as  they  easily 
might,  by  the  trees ;  whilst  the  Americans,  not  waiting 
for  our  approach,  retreated  with  all  haste  through  u 
country  manifestly  well  known  to  them,  and  were  be- 
yond our  reach  in  ten  minutes.  In  this  trifling  affair 
not  a  single  British  soldier  was  scratched,  whilst  of  the 
enemy,  but  one  solitary  dead  body  was  discovered. 

Trifling  as  the  skirmish  was,  it  served,  as  the  sound 
of  the  bugles  in  all  directions  told  us,  to  put  the  whole 
army  on  the  alert.     Advance  was  again  the  order  of 
the  day,  and  advance  we  did,  in  higher  spirits  and  bet- 
ler  humour  than  had  distinguished  us  from  the  begin- 
ning.     The  enemy,  we  trusted,  would  sooner  or  later 
iiazard  a  battle;  and  as  he  had  begun  the  system  of 
disputing  his  territories  with  us,  we  doubted  not  that  he 
would  henceforth  act  up  to  it.     But  the  prospect  of  be- 
ing every  moment  hurried  into  action,  even  though  it 
be  accomj)anicd  in  the  bravest  heart  with  sensations— 
not  perhaps  of  alarm,  but  of  something  remotely  akin 
to  it,— is,  upon  the  whole,  to  a  soldier  in  full  march, 
and  sin-rounded  by  gallant  comrades,  one  of  the  mcst 
animating  and  exquisite  sensations  of  which  human  na- 
ture is  susceptible.     It  is  not  then  with  him,  as  it  is  in 
the  stillness  of  his  tent  or  bivouac,  when  he  knows  that 
to-morrow's  sun  must  light  him  to  a  field  of  carnage 
and  death.     Then,  indeed,  there  is  time  to  think ;  and 
no  man  can  think  of  an  impending  dissolution,  without 
at  least  a  degree  of  seriousness  which  no  other  thought 
is  capable  of  producing.     But  when  he  is  scouring  the 
woods,  or  advancing  through  fields  and  inclosures,— 
his  men  all  about  him,  and  eager  and  animated,  like 

4 


I  f> 


34 


A    Sl'BALTERX    IN    AMERirA. 


huntsmen  about  a  fox-cover, — the  ofTicor  must  be  phle^'- 
niatic  indeed,  whoso  energies  are  not  wrouglit  up  to  a 
degree  of  enthusiasm  wiiieh  causes  all  appreliension  of 
personid  risk  to  be  forgotten,  and  directs  his  whole 
thoughts  into  one  channel— niiniely,  how  he  is  most 
.successfully  to  discharge  his  duty  when  the  moment  of 
trial  shall  arrive.  I  am  not  one  of  those  who,  writing 
in  my  own  study,  pretend  to  say,  tiiat  I  .-Jiould  prefer 
a  bloody  battle  to  a  snug  dinner  with  my  friends,  and 
a  social  glass  of  wine  after  it;  but  I  coniess,  that  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  our  progress,  one  wish,  and  one 
only,  rose  into  my  mind;  and  that  wa.s,  that  the  Ame- 
ricans would  aOord  me  an  opportunity,  v'iih  the  twenty 
brave  men  whom  1  commanded,  to  make  what  impres- 
sion I  could  upon  any  of  their  ambuscades,  however 
numerous,  or  however  judiciously  disposed. 

All  my  eager  aspirations  after  renown  were,  huuev- 
er,  doomed  to  sufl'cr  di-^cippointment.     The   Americaj).s 
would  not  make  a  stand.     We  saw  them,  indeed,  again, 
just  as  we  reached  the  skirl  of  the  forest,  and,  falling 
in  once  more  with  the  river,  wheeled  up  towards  the 
open  country  around  Notlingliam ;  but  it  was  in  full 
/light,  and  already  at  the  farther  extremity  of  the  town. 
We  saw,  likewise,  that  a  few  of  our  mounlcd  officers, 
Colonel  Thornton,  Major  Brown,  and,  if  I  mistake  nut. 
the  General  himself,  attempted,  in  the  most  dashing  and 
gallant  style,  to  charge  tluir  rear,  and  cut  off  theii 
.stragglers;  but  the  charge  of  three  or  four  horsemen 
was  easily  repulsed,  and  flic  stragglers,  striking  oiT  to- 
wards the  plantations  on  either  /lank,  were  soon  saft 
from  farther  molestation.    Somewhat  vexed  tliat  tliey  , 


,4 


^ 


f 


4 


i 

I 


rcA. 

ccr  must  be*  plilci,'- 
t  wrought  up  to  u 
11  apprelionsion  of 
lirccts  his  whole 
hou-  he  is  most 
L'li  the  moment  ol" 
lose  who,  writing 
U  1  hiiould  preil'r 
1  my  friends,  and 
■on less,  that  dur- 
10  wish,  and  one 
IS,  that  the  Amc- 
',  villi  the  twenty 
•xko  what  impres- 
jscadcs,  however 
)oscd. 

wn  were,  huwev- 
Tlic   Amcricajis 
m,  indeed,  again, 
)rcst,  and,  falling 
d  up  towards  the 
It  it  was  in   full 
inity  of  the  town. 
noun:ed   ofliccrs, 
if  I  mistake  not. 
nost  dashing  and 
nd  cut  off  their 
•r  four  horsemen 
I,  striking  ofl'  to- 
were  soon  saft 
vexed  tliat  they  . 


A    SIBAJ.TERN    IN    AMERICA. 


»:> 


i 


sheuld  have  thus  escaped  us,  we  were  accordingly 
obliged  to  halt,  where  we  had  been  ordiicd  to  halt,  in 
the  village;  and  hero  the  rest  of  the  army  joining  us, 
dispositions  were  made  to  pass  the  night.  The  picquets 
were  planted  without  delay  ;  the  dillerent  brigades  took 
lip  their  respective  grounds;  and  Charlton,  William^, 
and  [,  not  a  little  weary  with  our  excursion,  ensconced 
ourselves  under  the  shade  of  a  large  barn,  plentifully 
stored  with  tobacco. 

The  reader  must  be  already  well  aware,  that  if  the 
purport  of  the  present  debarkation  really  was  to  seize 
('oiiimodore  Durny's  Hotilla  of  gun-boats,  it  completely 
failed  of  success.  The  boats  were  all  gone.  They 
set  sail,  as  one  of  the  few  remaining  inhabitants  inform- 
'd  MS,  at  an  early  hour  this  morning,  and  were  now 
many  miles  nearer  to  the  source  of  the  I'atuxent  than 
we.  But  this  circumstance,  whatever  eflect  it  might 
Jiavc  upon  t!ie  minds  of  those  at  the  head  of  affairs, 
was  the  cause  of  no  annoyance  whatever  to  us.  \A'i) 
M-cre,  on  the  whole,  very  well  pleased  with  all  which 
bad  yet  befallen  us.  We  were  particularly  satisfied  in 
liuding  ourselves  so  snugly  housed  for  the  night;  and 
it  added  not  a  little  to  our  gratification,  when  we  disco- 
vered  that  our  Portuguese  servants  had  not  been  remiss 
111  providing  the  requisites  for  a  sumptuous  evening  re- 
past. Turkeys  and  geese  had  by  some  chance  or  an- 
other flown  into  their  hands  as  they  proceeded ;  and 
these  they  now  made  ready,  for  their  own,  and  their 
masters'  suppers.  And  then,  with  respect  to  tobacco, 
that  principal  delicacy  of  soldiers  upon  active  service, 
there  was  no  reasonable  cause  cither  for  scarcity  or 


f 


1 1' 


36 


A   SUBALTEHN    IN    AMERICA. 


complaint.     The  house  wliich  sheltered  us  was  full  of 
it ;  and  though  the  broad  arrow  had  been  impressed 
upon  the  doors,  wc  scrupled  not  to  appropriate  to  our 
own  use,  not  only  as  much  as  we  required  at  the  mo- 
ment, but  a  stock  sufficient,  as  v/c  guessed,  to  supply 
pur  wants  for  sevcro.l  days  to  come.     To  sum  up  all, 
the  quarter-master  arriving  soon  after  the  halt,  with 
stores  of  bread  and  rum,  an  additional  allowance  ol' 
both  was  served  out,  r.s  well  to  the  men  as  to  the  offi- 
cers.    On  the  whole,  therefore,  a  thousand  situations 
may  be  conceived  inany  degrees  less  enviable  than  ours ; 
when,  with  a  fire  blazing  before  us,  and  the  remains  of 
our  supper  taken  away,  wc  reclined,  pipe  in  hand,  and 
drinking  oup  hard  by,  within  the  porch  of  the  hospitable 
ltarn,cliatting  over  the  occurrences  of  the  morning,  and 
calculating  what  might  be  the  issue  of  to-morrow's 
operations. 

Of  the  disposition  of  the  army  in  general,  it  falls  not 
in  with  the  plan  of  my  present  story  to  say  mucli.     Let 
it  suffice  to  observe,  that  Nottingham,  a  small  town,  or 
rather  an  overgrown  village  upon  the  Patuxcnt,  was  or- 
oupied  by  the  light  and  second  brigades;  the  third  bri- 
gade taking  post  among  the  out-huildings  of  a  few  farm- 
houses on  the  left  of  the  road.     The  picquets,  again, 
extended  across  the  whole  front,  round  the  left  flank, 
and  so  back  to  the  rear;  whilst  on  the  right  the  river, 
already  covered  with  launches  and  boats  from  the  fleet, 
was    considered   protection  enough.     Thus  were  we 
amply  secured  against  all  attempts  at  surprisal,  had  it 
accorded  with  the  military  policy  of  the  United  States 
to  make  them ;  and  as  no  man  thought  of  undressing. 


BRICA. 


.V  srnvLTEnx  i\  amerk  \. 


X 


cred  us  was  full  of 
had  been  impressed 
)  appropriate  to  our 
oquircd  at  the  mo- 
!  guessed,  to  supply 
To  sum  up  all, 
after  the  halt,  with 
ional  allowance  ol' 
!  men  as  to  the  ofli- 
housand  situations 
enviable  than  ours; 
and  the  remains  of 
,  pipe  in  hand,  and 
ch  of  the  hospitable 
)f  the  morning,  and 
ue  of  to-morrow's 

general,  it  falls  not 
to  say  much.  Let 
n,  a  small  town,  or 
2  Patuxent,  was  or- 
des;  the  third  bri- 
lingsof  afcwfarm- 
le  picquets,  again, 
nd  the  left  flank, 
he  right  the  river, 
oats  from  the  fleet, 
Thus  were  we 
at  surprisal,  had  it 
the  United  States 
;ht  of  undressing. 


iirevcn  lajing  aside  his  accout.'ements,  wo  needed  only 
fn  !.(•  warned  of  the  approach  of  an  enemy,  in  order  to 
l-e  in  readiness  to  meet  and  repel  him. 

In  the  short  course  of  this  narrative,  T  have  mor(> 
than  once  had  oceasion  to  nienticjn  the  name  of  my  bro- 
tin  r  .Subaltern,  Williams.  There  are  eircumstanee.s 
cniuicctcd  with  iiis  destiny  which  induce  nv  iiere  to  let 
my  reader  a  little  inure  into  the  history  of  his  military 
lili-  than  1  iiiiiiht  perhaps  have  been  otherwise  disposed 
to  ilo.  W'iliiains  was  the  son  of  an  ollieer;  of  a  vete- 
ran oHicer,  w  ho,  by  dint  of  long  and  arduous  service, 
rose  to  the  rank  of  a  maj.ir.  He  was  not,  i  believe,  his 
tiither's  only  son  ;  but  if  it  were  fair  to  draw  an  infe- 
rence from  the  bf)y's  conversation,  he  was  at  all  events 

the  favourite,     ^^'illi^ms  was  gazetted  into  the re- 

iiinient  of  foot,  v.  hen  he  had  barely  completed  his  six- 
teciith  year;  and  he  joined  us  in  the  south  of  France, 
•  too  late  to  take  part  in  the  war,  before  he  had  attained 
'  to  iiis  seventeenth.  He  was  a  fine,  spirited,  generous- 
hearted  youth,  ignorant,  of  course,  of  what  a  soldier's 
^luly  in  the  field  really  is,  but  anxious,  if  ever  young 
man  w  as  anxious,  to  become  practically  acquainted  with 
his  prolession.  IJeing  appointed  t<  our  company,  he 
chose  to  attach  himself  very  warmly  to  me;  and  seeino- 
a  great  deal  in  the  lad  worthy  of  any  man's  tiffections, 
1  readily  and  willingly  rnet  his  advances.  We  were 
together  during  the  morning,  and  his  gallant  and  cool 
bearing  throughout  the  trifling  aflair  in  which  we  had 
l)een  engaged,  certainly  tended  to  strengthen  the  tie  of 
P'Tsonal  regard  by  which  I  already  felt  myself  bound 
to  him.     To-niglit  he  appeared  to  be  in  peculiarly  high 


**ni 


I    « 


33 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


*    11 


11 


spirits ;  indeed  I  have  never  seen  a  lad  exhibit  more 
striking  symptoms  of  happiness  than  when  I  mentioned 
his  conduct  in  the  terms  which  I  felt  it  to  merit,  to  our 
commou  friend  Charlton.  So  gratified  was  the  youth 
by  my  praises,  that  he  actually  shed  tears,  though,  as 
he  himself  assured  us,  they  were  the  sweetest  tears  that 
ever  wet  his  cheeks.  "  Oh,  my  poor  father  !"  said  he 
to  me,  as  we  were  arranging  our  cloaks,  and  preparing 
tn  lie  down,  "  how  delighted  would  he  be  to  have  heard 
you  say  what  you  said  to-night !"  I  could  not  answci- 
the  boy  ;  his  little  speech  aifected  me  so  deeply;  but  I 
loved  him  from  my  heart  for  his  fine  feelings,  and  I  de- 
termined to  be  his  friend  during  the  remainder  of  his 
military  life. 

The  night  could  not  be  farther  advanced  than  eight 
or  nine  o'clock,  when  a  consciousness  of  bodily  languor 
overcoming  every  other  sensation,  wc  made  ready  to 
resign  ourselves  to  sleep.  As  the  smell  of  the  tobacco 
was  not  ofiensive,  and  the  plant  itself  was  made  up  into 
large  sheaves,  we  unrolled  a  few  of  these,  and  scattered 
them  upon  the  floor  of  the  barn  for  our  bed.  Upon  the 
mattress  thus  formed,  we  spread  one  of  our  cloaks,  and 
reserving  the  uther  two  to  supply  the  place  of  blankets, 
Ave  lay  down,  all  three  together.  A  little  more  of  the 
tobacco,  raised  into  aheap,  served  us  for  a  pillow.  Our 
sabres  were  within  reach,  our  haversacks  and  pistols  at 
our  heads ;  the  only  articles  of  dress  which  we  laid 
aside  were  our  boots,  and  our  sashes  we  untied.  Then 
directing  the  servants  to  heap  up  the  fire,  so  as  that  it 
should  continue  to  blaze  till  the  morning,  we  bade  each 
other  good  night,  and  slept,  as  men  generally  sleep, 


M 


'1 


ICA. 

lad  exhibit  more 
when  I  mentioned 
it  to  merit,  to  our 
3d  was  the  youth 
tears,  though,  as 
wectest  tears  that 
father !"  said  he 
ks,  and  preparing 
!  be  to  have  heard 
could  not  answer 
so  deeply;  but  [ 
feelings,  tmd  I  de- 
remainder  of  his 

anccd  than  ciiflit 
of  bodily  languor 
c  made  ready  to 
ell  of  the  tobacco 
was  made  up  into 
ese,  and  scattered 
r  bed.  Upon  the 
3f  our  cloaks,  and 
place  of  blankets, 
little  more  of  the 
or  a  pillow.  Our 
.cks  and  pistols  at 
5  which  we  laid 
ve  untied.  Then 
lire,  so  as  that  it 
ing,  we  bade  each 
generally  sleep, 


A   SUBALTERN   IN  AMERICA. 


39 


whose  minds  and  bodies  have  been  in  full  exercise  for 
four-and-twenty  hours  on  a  stretch. 

CHAPTER  IV. 


The  reader  may  be  informed  here,  once  for  all,  that 
r.eneral  Ross's  army,  like  all  other  armies  in  the  im- 
mediate  presence  of  an  enemy,  drew  up  in  close  co- 

^  lumns  of  battalions,  every  morning  an  hour  before 
dawn.  In  this  position  we  remained,  on  the  mornin-r 
of  the  22d,  till  daylight  had  fully  broken,  when,  instead 
of  fihng  off  towards  the  road,  and  prosecuting  our  jour- 
ney,  we  were  permitted  to  quit  our  ranks  and  return  to 
our  kurs.  Ignorant  of  any  reasonable  cause  for  this 
measure,  and  anxious,  as  British  troops  ever  are  to 
press  on,  we  betook  ourselves  to  our  respective  restin.r. 
places  a  little  out  of  humour;  but  we  soon  acquired 
i^lHlosophy  enough  to  believe  that  all  must  be  for  the 
l|Ost,  and  comforted  ourselves  with  the  expectation  that 
the  much-desu-ed  advance,  though  delayed  for  some  pur- 
pose  or  another,  could  not  but  take  place  before  lon^. 
Nor  were  we  disappointed.  ° 

We  had  just  time  enough  allowed  to  ascertain  that 
Ao  tmgham  consisted  of  four  streets,  running  at  right 
angles  through  one  another,  and  that  it  presented  every 
appearance  of  having  been  abandoned  by  its  inhabit- 
ants  only  a  few  moments  previous  to  the  arrival  of  our 

army,  when  the  well-known  bugle-call  summoned  us  to 


40 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


our  ranks,  and  in  five  minutes  after  we  were  in  march- 
ing order.  Tlic  same  dispositions  which  had  covered 
our  advance  on  the  previous  day,  were  again  made. 
The  flankers  swept  tlie  woods  and  fiekls,  whilst  the  lead- 
ing files  marched  cautiously  along  the  high-road;  but 
it  fell  not  to  our  lot  to  occupy  one  or  other  of  these  im- 
portant posts.  We  formed  part  to-day  of  the  columns, 
and  like  our  comrades  moved  on  ;  ready,  indeed,  to  act, 
should  an  opportunity  be  afforded,  but  less  sanguine; 
than  wo  should  have  been,  had  the  oHicc  of  protecting 
the  movement  been  intrusted  to  us. 

The  country  through  which  we  travelled  presented 
fewer  traces  of  cultivation  than  a.iy  which  we  had  hi- 
therto traversed.  Tiie  road,  indeed,  diverging  from  the 
river,  struck  inwards,  so  as  to  cut  oil'  an  angle  ibrmed 
by  its  course ;  and,  as  every  body  knows,  it  is  entirely 
upon  the  banks  of  its  navigable  streams  that  America 
can,  even  now,  be  said  to  be  inhabited.  A  few  fields 
there  doubtless  were,  with  a  house  or  two  here  ami 
there,  throughout  the  whole  line  of  march  ;  but  after 
leaving  Nottingham  decidedly  behind,  they  were  rare 
indeed.  One  mighty  forest  was  Ijcfore  us  and  around 
us,  which,  if  it  served  no  other  purpose,  at  all  events 
.screened  us  from  the  rays  of  a  sultry  sun,  which  would 
have  otherwise  proved  in  the  highest  degree  inconve- 

nicnt. 

We  quitted  our  ground  at  seven  o'clock,  and  went  on 
for  about  a  couple  of  hours,  without  any  circumstance 
occurring  calculated  to  attract  attention,  or  deserving  ol' 
i.jtice.  A  few  pigs  and  turkeys,  indeed,  which  hap- 
pened to  be  at  large  near  a  farm-house  by  the  way-side, 


H 


K.t. 

e  were  in  march- 
lich  had  covered 
vcxe  again  made. 
is,  whilst  tlie  lead- 
c  higli-road;  but 
otlier  of  these  im- 
,y  oftlie  columns, 
,dy,  indeed,  to  act, 
)ut  less  sanguine 
(lice  of  protecting 

ravelled  presented 
ivhich  we  had  lu- 
Jivcriiin"  from  the 
"  an  ana:lc  ibrmed 
lows,  it  is  entirely 
,ms  that  America 
ed.  A  few  fields 
or  two  here  and 
march  ;  but  after 
d,  thev  were  ran; 
ire  us  and  arountl 
)ose,  at  all  events 
'  sun,  which  would 
St  degree  inconvc- 

:;lock,  and  ^\■ent  on 
any  circumstancf 
on,  or  deserving  ol' 
;ideed,  which  hap- 
5C  by  the  way-sidc, 


A'SrBALTERN   IN    AMERICA. 


41 


.sunbred,  it  is  true,  the  fate  incident  to  mortality ;  and 
much  laughter  was  heard  from  front  to  rear  of  the  co- 
lunin^as  dogs  and  men  either  failed  or  succeeded  in  the 
I'hase.  But  of  the  enemy  no  traces  were  discovered, 
though  our  guide  assured  us  that  several  numerous  bo- 
dies liad  passed  the  night  in  this  neighbourhood.  About 
noon,  however,  we  were  put  a  little  upon  our  mettle, 
ind  an  adventure  took  place  which  I  record,  chie/ly  for 
tlie  purpose  of  showing  tlie  temper  and  disposition  of 
'ho  men  with  whom  we  were  now  embroiled. 

The  advanced  parties  having  arrived  at  the  more  open 
'  ountry  which  surrounds  iMarlborough,  found  themselves 
siuldcnly  in  the  presence  of  two  squadrons  of  well- 
niountcd,  and  handsomely-appointed  cavalry.  They 
Nvore  composed,  as  we  afterwards  learned,  of  gentlemen 
volunteers  in  the  service  of  their  country.  To  do  tliom 
.justice,  the  troopers  no  sooner  saw  our  men,  than  they 
made  a  spirited  effort  to  cut  down  one  or  two  fdes,  whicli 
appeared  to  h>  separated  from  their  companions,  and  at 
a  distance  from  the  wood.  But  a  single  discharge  irom 
another  party  which  they  had  not  observed,  instantly 
checked  them ;  and  they  gallopped  off. 

Almost  at  the  same  moment  when  this  little  affair 
was  going  on,  some  eight  or  ten  rifh^men  being  disco- 
vered in  the  wood  on  the  right  of  the  road,  were  pur- 
sued by  Colonel  Thornton,  and  one  of  them  overtaken. 
When  I  say  that  the  fellow  was  overtaken,  I  mean  that 
he  halted  of  his  own  accord,  and  made  signs  that  he 
gave  himself  up.  The  Colonel,  satisfied  with  this,  was 
directing  a  file  of  his  men  to  go  forward  and  secure  the 
prisoner,  when  the  American,  with  the  utmost  delibera- 


43 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


ill 


ci      il 


tion,  levelled  his  piece  and  fired.  Happily  he  misKcd 
his  mark ;  but  that  circumstance  would  have  availed 
him  little  had  he  fallen  into  the  hands  of  our  people. 
Fleet  of  foot,  however,  and  well  acquainted  with  the 
country,  he  soon  managed  to  baflle  his  pursuers,  who, 
after  having  Avasted  a  few  rounds  at  him,  were  com- 
pelled to  abandon  the  cimsc  and  return  to  their  ranks. 
It  has  been  already  stated,  that  our  corps  experienced 
very  great  inconvenience,  and  was  sorely  crippled  in 
one  of  its  most  important  arms,  through  the  want  ot' 
horses.  We  had  no  artillery ;  three  of  the  smallest 
pieces  ever  used,  hardly  deserve  to  be  termed  such ;  we 
were  without  cavalry,  and  even  our  stafT  was  miserably 
provided.  The  General  felt  this,  and  he  did  his  best  to 
remedy  the  evil,  by  causing  every  horse  which  was 
found  in  the  fields  or  stables  near,  to  be  seized  and 
brought  in.  By  this  means  we  were  enabled  to  muster, 
at  the  close  of  the  third  day,  a  troop  of  about  forty 
horsemen ;  but  such  horsemen !  The  men,  indeed,  wem 
like  other  British  soldiers;  they  were  artillery  drivers, 
and  they  were  commanded  by  an  officer  of  artillery ; 
but  the  horses  were,  for  the  most  part  indifferent 
enough,  whilst  the  appointments  of  the  troopers  proved, 
in  many  instances,  a  source  of  merriment,  not  only  to 
us  but  to  themselves.  It  was  not  always  that  saddles 
could  be  found  for  the  horses ;  and  when  such  were 
totally  wanting,  recourse  was  had  to  blankets,  doubled 
repeatedly,  and  strapped  on  the  animals'  backs.  On 
other  occasions,  the  absence  of  a  bridle  was  compen- 
sated by  a  halter ;  very  many  of  the  men  made  stir- 
rups for  themselves  out  of  pieces  of  rope,  and  a  kw 


^ 


ICA. 

appily  he  missed 
)u[(J  have  avuiled 
ids  of  our  people. 
[Uaintcd  with  tlic 
is  pursuers,  who, 
t  him,  were  com- 
n  to  their  ranks, 
corps  experienced 
sorely  crippled  in 
ugh  the  want  ol' 
3  of  the  smallest 

termed  such;  we 
affwas  miserably 

he  did  his  best  to 
liorse  which  was 
to  bo  seized  and 
mablcd  to  muster, 
ip  of  about  forty 
men,  indeed,  were 

artillery  drivers, 
(iiccr  of  artillery ; 
t  part  indiflerent 
e  troopers  proved, 
iment,  not  only  to 
vays  that  saddles 

when  such  were 

blankets,  doubled 
mals'  backs.  On 
die  was  compen- 
}  men  made  stir- 

rope,  and  a  kw 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


43 


rode  bare-backed.  Nor  were  their  weapons  more  Uni- 
term or  more  graceful  than  their  horse  equipage.  A 
li'w  only  carried  their  own  sabres ;  the  rest  were  sup- 
plied with  the  cutlasses  which  belonged  to  the  seamen 
w  ho  dragged  the  guns.  Yet  this  irregular  and  wretch- 
•  ■(lly-equipped  cavalry  proved  repeatedly  of  the  most 
I'ssontial  service  to  the  expedition. 

It  was  one  o'clock,  when  the  neat  houses,  and  pretty 
gard(?ns  of  Marlborough,  presented  themselves  to  our 
vi(.'w.  I  know  not  whether  the  scene  would  strike  me 
now,  as  it  struck  me  then,  were  I  again  to  visit  it ;  but 
Jit  that  moment  I  imagined  that  I  had  never  looked  upon 
a  landscape  more  pleasing,  or  more  beautiful.  The 
gentle  green  hills  which  on  either  hand  inclosed  the  vil- 
lage, tufted  here  and  there  with  magnificent  trees, — the 
village  itself,  straggling  and  wide,  each  cottage  being 
far  apart  from  its  neighbours,  and  each  ornamented  with 
flower-beds,  and  shrubberies  ,•  these,  with  a  lovely  stream 
that  wound  through  the  valley,  formed,  as  far  as  my 
memory  may  be  trusted,  one  of  the  most  exquisite  pa- 
noramas, on  which  it  has  ever  been  my  good  fortune 
to  gaze.  Though  no  lover  of  the  American  character 
and  nation  then,  (whatever  may  be  the  case  now,)  I 
could  not  behold  this  peaceful  scene  without  experienc- 
ing sincere  regret  that  it  should  suffer  profanation  from 
the  presence  of  a  hostile  force ;  and  I  determined  that 
no  exertion  on  my  own  part  should  be  wanting  to  hinder 
the  orders  already  issued  against  plunder  and  rapine, 
from  being  neglected.  To  say  the  truth,  however,  it 
was  an  easy  matter  to  keep  our  men  within  the  bounds 
of  tolerable  subordination  and  discipline.     The  attacks 


'■0' 

M 


44 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


» 


which  tlioy  i'rom  tinu;  to  time  mode  upon  farm-yards 
find  pig-stics,  were,  to  a  certain  deforce  at  least,  allow- 
able enough.  It  would  liave  been  unreasonable  to  ex- 
pect, that  hungry  soldiers,  in  an  enemy's  country,  would 
sit  down  to  digest  their  hunger,  whilst  flocks  of  poultry 
and  herds  oC  swine  wen;  within  their  reach.  But  not 
a  single  act  of  wanton  mischief  was  perpetrated;  and 
when  we  inarched  out  on  the  (oUowing  day,  we  left 
Marlborough,  not  perhaps  so  rich  in  live  stock,  but  (|uilc 
as  pictures(iiic  and  rural,  as  when  we  entered  it. 

In  lliis  |)lace  we  learned,  that  Commodore  liarny, 
aware  of  our  flesign,  and  unable  any  longer  to  elude  it, 
had  blown  u|)  the  gun-boats  of  which  we  were  in  pur- 
suit. This  piece  of  intelligence  sufllciently  accounted 
lor  the  many  explosions  which  we  had  heard  whilst  on 
the  march  ;  but  though  it  might  lijive  caused  some  dis- 
a|)|)ointnient  to  the  heads  of  departments,  by  us  it  was 
tretitcU  as  a  very  dull  and  uninteresting  ])icce  of  news. 
The  lirst  matter  about  which  soldiers  interest  them- 
selves on  arriving  at  the  ground  where  they  are  to  hall 
for  the  night,  is  to  secure  as  comfortable  a  sleeping- 
place  as  circumstances  will  allow ;  and  then  to  provide 
materials  for  their  supper.  Leaving  Charlton  to  select 
a  ilormitory,  Williams  and  I,  as  soon  as  we  had  seen 
to  the  comforts  of  our  men,  sallied  Ibrth  upon  the  old 
quest,  in  search  of  provisions.  We  entered  several 
houses,  but  found  them  all  unoccuj)ied ;  and  what  was 
far  less  satisfactory,  very  many  of  them  already  light- 
ened  of  their  viands.  By  the  helj)  of  my  Portuguese 
boy,  however,  (one  of  the  ablest  foragers,  by  tlie  way, 
that  ever  follo'ved  a  camp,)  we  succeeded  at  last  in  mak- 


«t 


4 


^ 


JICA. 

:  upon  farm-yards 
^c  at  least,  allow  - 
ireasonable  to  I'x- 
y^'s  country,  would 
t  flocks  of  poultry 
'  reach.     But  iioi 

perpetrated;  and 
'uiiig  day,  we  left 
vc  stock,  but  (|ui[e 

entered  it. 
nimodore  I3arny, 
longer  to  elude  it. 
I  uc  were  in  piir- 
ciently  accounted 
d  heard  whilst  on 

caused  some  dis- 
:'nts,  hy  us'  it  was 
ig  piece  of  news, 
rs  interest  theni- 
■e  they  are  to  hall 
I'tablo  a  slccping- 
d  then  to  providi- 
Uharlton  to  selecl 

as  we  had  seen 
rth  upon  the  old 
?  entered  several 
I;  and  what  was 
em  already  light- 
f  my  Portuguese 
^crs,  by  tlie  way, 
led  at  last  in  mak- 


A    SITBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


4.3 


mg  ourselves  masters  of  five  fowls ;  with  which,  and  a 
loaf  of  bread,  a  sack  of  flour,  and  a  bottle  of  peach- 
whisky,  we  prepared  to  rejoin  our  friend.  We  found 
him  very  snugly  settled;  not  in  the  house,  for  the  posi- 
tion of  the  corps  was  in  advance  of  the  village,  but 
under  a  clump  of  leafy  trees,  which  furnished  a  tolera- 
ble shelter  against  the  sun,  and  promised  to  be  equally 
serviceable  against  the  dews.  There  our  dinner  was 
dressed  and  eaten  ;  and  here,  upon  a  few  trusses  of  hay, 
brought  frcm  a  neighbouring  barn-yard  for  the  purpose, 
we  sle])t  soundly  and  contentedly. 

Fresh,  and  in  excellent  spirits,  we  rose  next  morning ; 
and  having  stood  the  usuf '.  time  with  our  men,  began 
to  consider  how  we  should  most  profitably  and  agre°ea- 
ably  spend   the  day.     Of  farther  movements,  nothing 
was  said  :  the  troops,  indeed,  had  been  dismissed  as  soon 
as  dawn  appeared,— we  wore  therefore  prepared  to  treat 
this  as  a  day  of  leisure  and   repose.     Nevertheless,  as 
we  were  quite  ignorant  of  the  situation  of  the  enemy, 
we  deemed  it  by  no  means  prudent  to  venture  far  from 
the  cam]);  but  contented  ourselves  with  strolling  back 
into  the  village,  and  instituting  a  renewed  and  more  ac- 
•  •uratc  search  after  people,  and  other  living  creatures. 

The  only  inhabitants  whom  we  found  abiding  in  his 
house  was  a  Doctor  Bean,  a  medical  practitioner,  and 
the  proprietor  of  a  valuable  farm  in  the  neighbourhood. 
'Fhe  Doctor  was,  in  point  of  fact,  a  Scotchman ;  that 
IS  to  say,  he  had  migrated  about  twenty  years  ago  from 
some  district  of  North  Britain,  and  still  retained  his  na- 
tive dialect  in  all  its  doric  richness.  He  professed, 
moreover,  to  retain  the  feelings  as  well  as  the  lant^uaoe 


=t 


46 


A    tiUBALTEKN    IS    AMERICA- 


I    it, 


of  his  boyish  days.  He  was  a  Federalist — in  other 
words,  lie  was  hostile  to  the  war  with  England,  which 
he  still  persisted  in  regarding  as  his  mother  country. 
Such,  at  least,  were  the  statements  with  which  he  fa- 
voured us,  and  we  believed  him  the  more  readily,  that 
he  seemed  really  disposed  to  treat  us  as  friends.  There 
was  nothing  about  his  house  or  farm  to  which  he  made 
us  not  heartily  welcome;  and  the  wily  emigrant  was  no 
loser  by  his  civility.  VVc  took,  indeed,  whatever  wo 
stood  m  need  of,  provisions,  forage,  and  even  horses ; 
but  our  commissary  paid  this  man  of  professions  the 
lull  value  of  his  commodities.  From  Doctor  Bean,  ( 
however  scrupled  not  to  accept  a  present.  He  oflererl 
me  all  that  his  house  contained  ;  I  took  only  a  little  tea, 
some  sugar,  and  a  bottle  of  milk ;  and  did  not  insult 
hun  by  alluding  to  a  remuneration. 

^Ve  were  thus  situated,  when  towards  noon  the  (Jo- 
neral  suddenly  appeared  in  the  bivouac,  and  the  troops 
Mere  ordin-ed  to  fall  in.  The  scruples  which  had,  for 
a  tunc,  alfected  him,  were  now  overcome,  and  a  push, 
it  was  understood,  was  about  to  be  made  against  the 
city  of  Washington.  From  various  quarters  we  had 
learned  of  the  excesses  committed  by  the  American 
army  upon  the  frontier  towns  of  Canada,  and  the  Gc- 
neral  and  Admiral  determined,  by  insulting  the  capital 
itself,  to  convince  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
that  such  proceedings  were  not  more  barbarous  than 
impolitic.  This,  at  least,  was  the  rumour  of  the  mo- 
ment ;  but  concerning  the  causes  of  their  movements, 
the  inferior  officers  and  soldiers  of  an  army  seldom' 
trouble  themselves  by  inquiring.     It  was  sufficient  for 


♦ 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


47 


US  to  know  that  an  enterprise  was  before  us,  worthy  of 
our  leaders  and  our  own  reputation ;  we  cared  not  from 
what  motive  it  sprung, — our  only  thought  was  to  ef- 
fect it. 

In  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  from  the  first  alarm, 
the  column  was  in  motion.     Charlton's  company  had 
again  the  good  fortune  to  form  the  advance ;  and  it  was 
not  long  before  my  young  friend  Williams  was  again 
enal)led  to  exhibit  his  coolness  and  courage  under  fire. 
Wo  had  proceeded  about  four  miles,  sweeping  and  scour- 
ing the  country  as  before,  when,  on  arriving  at  the  base 
of  a  low  green  hill,  we  were  saluted  by  a  volley  of 
musketry,  from  a  body  of  troops  which  filled  a  wood 
upon  its  summit.     It  happened  that  the  General  was  at 
this  moment  among  us.     Me  had  seen  the  rising  ground 
from  a  distance,  and,  anxious  to  take  a  survey  of  the 
surrounding  country,  had  ridde-^.  forward,  with  the  in- 
tention of  ascending  it.     It  will  be  easily  imagined,  that 
the  presence  of  our  leader  acted  as  no  clog  upon  our 
courage  or  resolution.     We  rushed  up  the  height  at 
double-quick  time,  and,  receiving  one  other  volley  just 
as  we  gained  the  ridge,  dashed  into  the  thicket.     Tln-eo 
of  our  men  were  wounded,  and  as  yet  we  saw  not  the 
hands  which  struck  the  blow ;  but  now  they  were  visi- 
ble  enough.     It  was  the  rear-guard  of  a  corps  of  ob- 
servation which  had  bivouacked  last  night  within  gun- 
shot of  our  picqucts,  and  which,  finding  that  we  were 
in  full  march  towards  them,  were  retreating.     We  drove 
their  skirmishers  through  the  wood  in  gallant  style, 
scarcely  allowing  them  time  to  load  as  they  retreated ; 
till  at  last  they  fairly  took  to  their  heels  and  escaped. 


i  h 


48 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


ii 


'i 


) 


In  the  meanwhile  the  rest  of  the  advanced  guard 
pushing  steadily  along  the  road,  caused  the  section  whicli 
was  meant  to  support  the  skirmishers  with  whom  we 
were  engaged,  to  disperse  and  fly  in  all  directions.     To 
the  fugitives,  it  is  true,  the  country  was  familiar ;  they 
therefore  easily  escaped ;  but  by  their  flight  they  en- 
abled us  to  obtain  a  view  of  the  column,  which  it  was 
their  business  to  have  marked,  and  we  were  conse- 
quently made  aware  that  about  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred 
infantry,  with  several  pieces  of  cannon,  were  in  full  n- 
treat  l)efore  us.     The  enemy  observed  us,  probably  at 
the  same  moment  that  wc  beheld  them,  for  on  our  ap- 
proach they  halted,  and  drew  up  upon  some  heights 
about  a  mile  distant.     Of  this  matter  the  General  was 
soon  informed,  anu  one  hundred  and  fifty  additional 
men  arriving  to  our  assistance,  we  made  ready,  about 
two  hundred  in  all,  to  dislodge  them. 

With  this  design  one  company  extended  itself  in  skir- 
mishing array,  whilst  the  rest  advanced  in  column ;  but 
Jonathan  was  too  timorous,  or  too  wary,  to  abide  this 
shock.     Their  artillery,  indeed,  opened  as  soon  as  wc 
arrived  within  point-blank  range;  and  to  say  the  truth, 
the  shots  were  well  directed;  but  we  were  yet  a  grcjit 
way  off  from  the  bottom  of  the  rising  ground  which 
they  occupied,  when  the  infantry  broke  once  more  into 
marching  order,  and  retired.     Notwithstanding  this, « <■ 
continued  to  press  on,  fill  we  had  crowned  the  heights, 
when  Major  Brown,  who  directed  the  movement,  in- 
formed us,  that  it  was  not  intended  that  we  should  ad- 
vance any  farther  in  this  direction. 

A  halt  being  accordingly  commanded,  we  lay  down 


RICA. 


A    SrBALTEKN    IN    AMKRICA. 


49 


le  advanced  guard 
d  the  section  whicli 
ers  with  whom  wv 
all  directions.  To 
vas  familiar ;  they 
eir  flight  they  en- 
imn,  which  it  was 
I  we  were  const-- 
j  or  fifteen  hundred 
on,  were  in  full  re- 
ed us,  probably  at 
em,  for  on  our  ap- 
pon  some  heights 
r  the  General  was 
nd  fifty  additional 
Tiade  ready,  about 

snded  itself  in  skir- 
ed  in  column;  but 
ary,  to  abide  this 
ed  as  soon  as  we 
i  to  say  the  truth, 
were  yet  a  grc.'if 
ng  ground  whieji 
ce  once  more  into 
hstandingthis,wf 
wned  the  heights, 
le  movement,  in- 
at  we  should  ad- 

ed,  we  lay  down 


upon  the  grass,  and  looked  about,  for  the  purpose  of  as- 
it-rfaining  iiow  lur  we  had  outstri|)pcd  the  column,  and 
ui  what  inaiuier  the  culunin  was  occupied.  Our  sur- 
|Mist;  may  be  guessed  at,  uhen  not  a  soldier  appeared 
.11  view.  A  cloud  of  dust  rising  at  the  back  of  a  copse, 
ubicli  nui  parallel  with  the  heights  above,  served  to 
|H.iut  out  the  direction  which  the  army  had  taken ;  and 
iven  that  was  so  wavering  and  uncertain  in  its  aspect, 
as  to  create  some  doubts  in  our  minds,  whether  a  retreat 
were  not  begun.  A  short  time,  however,  sufficed  to  set 
our  minds  at  rest  on  this  important  subject.  We  had 
.;  kept  our  ground  perliaps  something  less  than  an  hour, 

I  wlieii  Li(;utenant  Evans,  Assistant  Quarter-master  Cm. 

I  neral,  arrived  with  an  order,  that  we  should  abandon 
#  the  post,  and  keeping  so  far  under  the  ridge  as  to  screen 
the  movement,  defile  to  our  right.  The  army,  it  seemed, 
iuul  taken  the  road  to  Alexandria;  we  were  to  follow 
it ;  and  if  we  did  not  overtake  it  before,  we  should  cer- 
tainly find  it  bivouacked  at  a  place  called  Wood-yard, 
about  four  miles  distant.  Such  were  the  directions  given 
to  us,  and  these  we  prepared  to  follow. 

J  The  evening  was  closing  in  when  we  began  to  de- 
scend  the  hill,  and  it  was  something  more  than  dusk  ere 
u<;  regained  the  road ;  but  even  then,  our  only  guide 
was  the  track  of  those  who  had  preceded  us,  for  Mr. 
Mvans  could  not,  and  did  not  wait  to  conduct  us.  Ne- 
vertheless,  we  were  not  afraid  to  trust  to  it,  and  it  did 
not  deceive  us.  Darkness  came  on,  indeed,  whilst  we 
were  yet  far  from  the  camp,  and  we  could  not  but  feel 
that  had  the  enemy  been  as  enterprising  and  active  as 
he  ought  to  have  been,  perhaps  we  might  not  have 


50 


\    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


I    , 


I 


reached  it  at  all.  But  we  did  rcacl)  it  in  safety  ;  though, 
us  far  as  Charlton  and  myself  were  concerned,  it  was 
only  to  be  employed  upon  a  duty  as  haraesing  and  dis- 
agreeable for  the  time,  as  any  I  recollect  ever  to  have 
performed. 

About  a  mile,  or  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  situation 
of  the  camp,  and  considerably  out  of  the  line  even  nf 
the  picquets,  stood  a  large  house,  built  after  the  fashiiMi 
of  a  chateau.  It  was  the  residence  of  a  gentleman  of 
extensive  fortune,  who,  probably  not  anticipating  that 
he  ran  any  risk  of  a  visit  from  the  invaders,  had  not 
removed  either  his  family  or  effects  from  his  house ;  and 
now  entreated  that  General  Ross  would  station  an  oiTi- 
cer's  guard  there,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  him  and 
them  from  violence.  The  General  readily  acceded  to 
his  wishes ;  and  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  my  friend  and  my- 
self to  be  appointed  to  this  service.  As  the  events  aris- 
ing out  of  our  leader's  generosity  were  to  us,  at  least 
at  the  moment,  replete  with  interest,  it  may  be  well,  in- 
stead  of  entering  upon  them  imperfectly  here,  to  reserve 
my  relation  of  them  for  a  fresh  chapter. 


'.  ?(■■ 


I 


ICA. 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


01 


in  safety ;  though, 
concerned,  it  wns 
laraesing  and  dis- 
llcct  ever  to  have 

from  the  situation 
the  hne  even  (»l' 
t  after  the  fashioji 
)f  a  gentleman  of 
anticipating  that 
invaders,  had  nut 
irn  his  house;  and 
lid  station  an  oiTi- 
>rotecting  him  and 
eadily  acceded  to 
ly  friend  and  my- 
\.s  the  events  aris- 
3re  to  us,  at  least 
t  may  be  well,  in- 
ly  here,  to  reserve 
!er. 


CHAPTER  V. 


■ii* 


I  HAVK  said  that  the  chateau  (for  the  protection  of 

which  my  friend  and  myself  were  made  answerable) 

vas  distant  a  full  mile  and  a  half  from  the  ground  of 

tlie  encampment,  and  separated  by  rather  more  than 

half  that  space  from  the  most  advanced  of  the  outposts. 

The  orders  which  we  received,  were,  to  keep  upacom- 

iiuinication  by  patrols  and  sentinels  with  the  nearest 

picquet— not  to  permit  any  violence  to  be  done  to  the 

house  or  furniture— to  guard  ourselves  against  surprisal 

I Vom  the  enemy— and  to  join  the  main  body  as  soon  as 

•l.iyi.ght  should  appear.     To  say  the  truth,  we  were  far 

Irom  being  delighted  with  the  honour  conferred  upon 

'IS ;  for  we  could  not  but  regard  ourselves  as  exposed  to 

a  most  unnecessary  degree  of  peril,  for  the  attainment 

ol  an  object  hardly  worth  the  risk  which  was  run  in 

.seeking  to  attain  it. 

The  first  and  greatest  lesson  which  a  soldier  is  re- 
quired to  learn,  is  obedience.  Whatever  may  be  the 
extent  of  personal  hazard  or  personal  inconvenience  to 
which  it  promises  to  subject  him,  an  order  once  received 
must  be  carried  into  execution ;  and  both  Charlton  and 
I  were  too  well  acquainted  with  the  customs  of  the  ser- 
vice  to  hesitate,  on  the  present  occasion,  as  to  our  course 


=SIESf*'*titfei  .#*-cit«Bj 


ry2 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


• 


of  proceeding.  Taking  with  us  the  allotted  guard, — 
thirty  men, — we  set  out  without  a  moment's  delay,  and 
reached  our  station  just  as  a  great  clock  in  the  hall  was 
striking  the  hour  of  nine. 

The  mansion,  built  after  the  French  fashion,  was 
fronted  by  an  extensive  court,  fenced  in  on  all  sides  by 
a  brick  wall  of  some  ten  or  twelve  feet  in  height.  Ha- 
ving traversed  this,  we  arrived  at  the  main  entrance, 
where  we  were  received,  with  every  demonstration  of 
politeness  and  hospitality,  by  the  owner;  a  very  gen- 
tlemanly, well-dressed  person,  apparently  about  forty 
years  of  age.  He  overwhelmed  us  with  apologies  for 
the  inconvenience  which  he  doubted  not  that  he  had  oc- 
casioned ;  and  assured  us,  in  the  same  breath,  that  no 
efforts  would  be  wanting  on  his  part  to  render  our  so- 
journ with  him  as  little  irksome  as  possible.  It  struck 
me,  at  the  moment,  that  there  was  rather  too  much  of 
civility  in  this,  considering  the  relation  in  which  we 
really  stood  towards  each  other;  and  I  confess,  that  so 
far  from  feeling  my  uneasiness  lessened,  it  became  more 
powerful  than  before,  through  a  vague  appn  hension  of 
treachery,  for  which  I  could  not  satisfactorily  account. 
[  resolved,  however,  to  be  peculiarly  on  my  guard ;  and 
perhaps  it  was  well  for  our  little  party  that  my  suspi- 
cions chanced  to  be  thus  easily  excited. 

Having  established  our  men  in  one  of  the  out-build- 
ings,  (as  many  of  them,  at  least,  as  were  not  required 
to  keep  up  the  communication  between  t'  o  chateau  and 
the  nearest  picquet,)  wc  inquired,  before  entering  the 
house,  how  many  servants  there  might  be  about  the 
place,  and  in  what  manner  they  were  disposed  of.     It 


>    j 


ICA. 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


5a 


allotted  guard, — 
mient's  delay,  and 
jk  in  the  hall  was 

nch  fashion,  was 
in  on  all  sides  by 
!t  in  height.  Ha- 
c  main  entrance, 

demonstration  of 
'ner ;  a  very  gen- 
sntly  about  forty 
vith  apologies  for 
lot  that  he  had  oc- 
le  breath,  that  no 
to  render  our  so- 
)ssible.  It  struck 
ther  too  much  of 
ion  in  which  we 

I  confess,  that  so 
id,  it  became  more 
e  apprrhension  of 
ifactorily  account. 
)n  my  guard ;  and 
•ty  that  my  suspi- 
d. 

of  the  out-build- 
vere  not  required 
n  ti  0  chateau  and 
fore  entering  the 
ght  be  about  the 

disposed  of.     It 


appeared,  that,  independently  of  domestics,  no  fewer 
than  thirty  male  slaves,  besides  women  and  children, 
dwelt  in  the  huts  adjoining.     Now,  though  we  were  not 
ufraid  of  these  poor  creatures  themselves,  the  thought 
occurred  to  us,  that  were  their  master  dis[iosed  to  play 
the  traitor,  he  might  make  of  any  or  all  of  them,  very 
i-(;ady  instruments.     We  therefore,  though  with  a  thou- 
sand declarations  of  regret  for  the  necessity  under  which 
we  lay,  insisted  upon  lodging  the  whole  body,  for  this 
night,  under  one  roof;  and   planted  sentinels  so  as  to 
hinder  them  from  holding  any  secret  intercourse  with 
ic  family.     Besides  this,  we  mustered  all  the  domestic 
-rrvants,  placed  soldiers  in  the  kitchen  beside  them,  and 
look  every  other  precaution  which  the  singularly  ex- 
posed nature  of  our  situation  seemed  to  require. 

This  done,  we  followed  our  host,  who  conducted   us 
through  a  spacious  and  well-lighted  hall,  up  a  winding 
oaken  staircase,  and  introduced  us  into  a  drawing-room, 
lifted  up  and  furnished  with  considerable  taste  and  ele- 
gance.    There  we  found  the  rest  of  the  family  assem- 
liled ;  it  consisted  of  an  old  lady,  whom  he  introduced 
!o  us  as  his  mother — a  young  lady,  whom  he  named  as 
liis  daughter — and  a  middle-aged  person  in  black,  who, 
we  were  given  to  understand,  was  the  family  priest,  or 
confessor.     Our  acquaintance,  it  appeared,  was  a  rigid 
Catholic;  and  there  being  no  Romish  place  of  worship 
in  his  neighbourhood,  he  afforded  a  home  and  a  main- 
tenance to  a  domestic  chaplain.     They  were  all,  espe* 
cially  the  master  of  the  house  and  his  chaplain,  well- 
l)red  people.     The  old  lady  was  frank  and  loquacious ; 

the  young  one,  without  being  either  shy  or  forward, 
6 


r'li 


54 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMEKICA. 


maintained  her  own  share  in  the  conversation ;  and  botfi 
tlie  priest  and  his  patron  had  seen  the  world,  and  sei-n 
if  to  advantage.  Nor  was  it  by  tlieir  conversation  alone 
that  they  sought  to  amuse  us.  Tea,  or  rather  a  s(tit  oi 
compound  between  tea  and  dinner,  was  ordered  in.  C>n 
the  same  table  were  arranged  cups  and  saucers,  several 
flishes  of  cold  meat,  a  few  bottles  of  different  kinds  ol 
wine,  and  fruit  in  plentiful  variety.  Of  all  of  these  wc 
were  hospitably  invited  to  partake;  and,  as  the  reader 
will  easily  believe,  it  required  uo  violent  pressing  on  the 
jiart  of  our  entertainers  to  urge  us  to  a  compliance . 

All  this  was  satisfactory  enough,  nor  had  we  any 
l)etler  reason  to  complain  either  of  the  beds  or  lodgin^^- 
apartments  which  were  oflered  for  our  accommodatit>n. 
Our  meal  being  concluded,  and  as  much  claret  con- 
sumed as  we  felt  di&^osed  to  indulge  in,  the  master  ol 
the  house  led  us  up  stairs,  and  ushered  us  into  a  large, 
well-furnished  chamber,  from  which  a  door  opened  into 
a  smaller  apartment  beyond.  In  the  former  stood  a  ca- 
pacious four-post  bed;  in  the  latter,  a  neat  French  coucli 
was  erected.  These  conveniences  he  pointed  out,  anc! 
leaving  us  to  decide  by  whom  they  should  respective!  \ 
l)C  occupied,  he  wished  us  good  night,  and  withdrew. 

My  companion  happened  to  be,  at  this  time,  in  a  de- 
licate state  of  heahh, — the  fatigues  of  the  two  last  days 
overcame  him,  and  he  readily  and  gladly  threw  himself 
upon  the  bed.  It  was  not  so  with  me.  If  not  robust. 
1  was  at  ail  events  capable  of  enduring  my  full  share  oi 
privations;  and  I  felt  myself,  under  existing  circum- 
stances, called  upon  to  exert  my  powers  of  vigilance 
to  the  utmost.     I  did  exert  them.    Instead  of  lying 


J 


ICA. 

grsation ;  and  botfi 
}  world,  and  set-n 
conversation  alone 
or  rather  a  s(tit  oi 
,s  ordered  in.  C)n 
id  saucers,  several 
different  kinds  of 
Of  all  of  these  we 
md,  as  the  reader 
int  pressing  on  flu, 
•  a  complianec . 
nor  had  we  any 
e  beds  or  lodgin^r- 
ir  accommodatic'n. 
much  claret  cc)n- 
3  in,  the  master  ol 
ed  us  into  a  large, 
a  door  opened  intc 
former  stood  a  cm- 
neat  French  coucli 
e  pointed  out,  and 
lould  respectively 
:,  and  withdrew, 
this  time,  in  a  de- 
r  the  two  last  days 
idly  threw  himself 
e.  If  not  robust, 
ig  my  full  share  oi 
'  existing  circum- 
)wers  of  vigilance 
Instead  of  lying 


A   SUBALTERN    IX    AMERICA. 


55 


'lowu,  I  wrap[)ed  my  cloak  about  me,  and  descending 
quietly  to  the  court-yard,  walked  about  in  the  cool  night 
■lir;  sometimes  looking  in  upon  the  men  to  see  that  they 
were  in  a  state  of  preparation,  and  at  other  times  trudg- 
ing from  post  to  post,  in  order  to  keep  the  sentinels  on 
the  alert. 

I  was  setting  out,  a  little  after  midnight,  to  perform 
flu:  lust  mentioned  of  these  duties,  when  the  appearance 
of  Williiuns,  who  advanced  through  the  court  with  ra- 
pid strides,  greatly  surprised  me.  I  had  heard  several 
of  the  sentinels  challenge;  but  neither  tumult  nor  the 
report  of  fire-arms  following  their  challenges,  I  paid 
little  heed  to  either.  As  may  be  imagined,  I  eagerly 
inquired  into  the  cause  of  his  visit ;  and  my  conster- 
nation may  be  guessed  at,  when  he  informed  me  that  an 
American  straggler  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  his  pic- 
quet,  from  whom  information  was  obtained  that  an  at- 
tempt was  about  to  be  made  to  cut  off  the  party  at  the 
chateau.  This,  he  alleged,  was  to  be  done  by  the  con- 
nivance, and  under  the  directions  of  the  master  of  the 
house ;  for  whom,  or  for  a  messenger  from  whom,  who 
might  act  as  a  guide,  the  corps  intended  for  the  enter- 
prise now  waited. 

The  reader  will  easily  believe,  that  I  listened  to  the 
preceding  intelligence  in  no  very  enviable  state  of  mind. 
Our  numbers,  as  I  well  knew,  were  not  equal  to  a  suc- 
cessful resistance,  provided  the  assailants  chose  to  do 
their  duty,  and  there  was  not  a  point  on  which  we  might 
not  be  assailed  to  advantage.  The  house  stood  in  a  sort 
oi'  corner,  between  two  roads;  the  one,  that  by  which 
'ur  column  had  advanced  in  the  morning;  the  other  a 


■■  ^:»-  tw—   -lu 


i 


56 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


(!ross  road,  which  came  in  upon  it  at  right  angles. 
Along  either  of  them,  not  infantry  only,  but  cavalry, 
and  even  artillery,  might  march;  whilst  the  broken  na- 
ture  of  the  ground  in  our  rear,  afforded  a  thousand  fa- 
cilities for  the  approach  of  troops,  who  might  collect, 
unnoticed  by  our  sentinels,  within  a  few  yards  of  their 
posts.  There  was  no  room  for  hesitation  as  to  how  it 
behoved  us  to  act.  Hurrying  to  the  hut  where  the  body 
of  the  picquet  was  housed,  I  ordered  the  troops  under 
arms  without  delay;  and,  planting  sentinels  over  t lie 
different  entrances  to  the  house,  I  took  with  me  a  fileol' 
men,  and  proceeded,  without  any  scruple,  to  secure  the 
person  of  our  host.  But  the  bird  had  already  flown. 
How,  or  when  he  escaped,  no  one  could  tell ;  but  that 
he  had  escaped  was  certain. 

By  this  time  Charlton,  roused  from  his  sleep,  had 
joined  us,  and  learning  in  what  predicament  we  stood, 
proceeded  to  make  the  best  dispositions,  which  circum- 
stances would  allow,  to  meet  the  threatened  danger. 
It  was  from  the  two  roads,  principally,  that  we  had  rea- 
son to  apprehend  an  attack.  That  which  joined  thf 
road  to  Alexandria,  of  which  I  have  already  spoken  as 
a  by-path,  fell  in  between  our  mansion  and  the  camp ; 
from  it,  therefore,  we  concluded  that  the  principal  etFort 
would  be  made.  Patrols  were  accordingly  directed  Ui 
proceed  along  that  road  every  quarter  of  an  hour,  ami, 
by  way  of  making  certainty  douMy  sure,  he  and  I  took 
it  by  turns  to  accompany  them.  But  whilst  we  thus 
carefully  watched  that  quarter,  we  were  not  neglectful 
of  others.  One-half  of  the  men  were  ordered  out  on 
sentry ;  and  the  other  half  stood  during  the  remaindtr 


T    i 


I 


ICA. 

at  right  angles, 
ily,  but  cavalry, 
st  the  broken  nu- 
3d  a  thousand  fa- 
10  might  collect, 
3W  yards  of  their 
ition  as  to  how  it 
ut  where  the  body 
[  the  troops  under 
;entinels  over  tin.' 
:  with  me  a  file  of 
iple,  to  secure  the 
id  already  flown, 
.lid  tell;  but  that 

m  his  sleep,  had 
;ament  we  stooti, 
IS,  which  circum- 
ireatened  danger. 
',  that  we  had  rcu- 
which  joined  th»' 
already  spoken  as 
n  and  the  camp ; 
he  principal  effort 
Singly  directed  to  | 
I'  of  an  hour,  and, 
ure,  he  and  I  took 
t  whilst  we  thus 
3re  not  neglectful 
e  ordered  out  on 
iig  the  remainder 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   A3IERICA. 


.57 


of  the  night  with  their  arms  in  their  hands  in  the  court- 
yard. 

The  house-clock  had  struck  one ;  and  as  yet  no  noise 
had  teen  heard,  nor  any  circumstances  taken  place,  cal- 
'■ulated,  in  an  extraordinary  degree,  to  excite  alarm. 
VVc  were  beginning,  indeed,  to  persuade  ourselves  that 
the  enemy,  daunted  by  the  absence  of  the  straggler 
^Villiams  had  taken,  or  apprehensive,  from  some  other 
iMUse,  that  their  plans  were  discovered,  had  laid  asidt; 
their  intention ;  when  suddenly  a  sentry  on  the  right  ol' 
the  court  challenged.     This  was  not  the  quarter  from 
whence  we  looked  for  an  attack — the  man  who  save 
the  alarm  stood  upon  the  Alexandrian  road,  not  upon 
the  cross  road ;  yet  an  enemy  might  be  there  also;  so, 
leaving  me  to  watch  beside  the  by-path,  Charlton  hur- 
ried off  in  the  opposite  direction.     The  sentinel  chal- 
lenged again ;  a  third  time  we  heard  the  cry,  "  AVho 
^foes  there  .'"  but  in  a  more  abrupt  tone ;  and  then  Charl- 
ton himself  exclaimed,  "Fire,  if  they  will  not  answer." 
The  tread  of  many  feet  was  now  audible,  followed  by 
111  indistinct  hum  of  voices;  but  just  as  our  anxiety  re- 
specting the  issue  had  attained  its  height,  our  attention 
w  as  called  away  to  o'  ler  objects,  by  one  of  our  own 
senitries,  who  likewise  challenged.     There  could  not  bo 
I  doubt,  that  if  any  persons  were  moving  in  his  front, 
thoy  must  be  Americans,  for  this  sentinel  stood  upon 
the  cross  road.     I  hastened  forward,  a  sergeant  and 
three  men  following  me,  and  reached  him  just  as  he  had 
I'hallenged  for  the  second  time.     The  soldier  was  per- 
tectly  justified  in  so  doing.     Not  only  could  we  even 

hear,  distinctly  enough,  the  tramp  of  people  marching, 
6* 


!    -4' 


58 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


ft  i: 


but  their  very  forms  were  distinguishable  in  the  star- 
light. Without  a  moment's  hesitation  I  commanded  the 
men  to  fire.  The  enemy  halted,  seemed  to  hesitate, 
and  then,  without  so  much  as  returning  the  salute, 
melted  away.  All  this  was  a  matter  of  extreme  mys- 
tery to  me;  but  in  a  few  minutes  it  was  cleared  up  very 
satisfactorily. 

The  sound  of  our  firing  drew  Charlton,  with  the  rest 
of  the  picquet,  to  the  spot  immediately;  and  from  them 
we  learned,  that  the  troops,  whose  advance  in  an  oppo- 
site direction  had  first  alarmed  us,  proved  to  be  an  es- 
cort of  our  own  people  conveying  ammunition  and  pro- 
visions from  the  ileet.  This  intelligence  at  once  ac- 
counted for  the  precipitate  retreat  of  the  American.^. 
They  had  doubtless  obtained  information  of  the  coming 
up  o(  this  detachment,  and  supposing  that  its  oljject  was 
to  reinforce  us,  they  not  unnaturally  concluded  that  their 
intentions  were  known,  and  their  plot  defeated.  Such, 
at  least,  was  the  opinion  which  I  formed  at  the  moment; 
and  though  I  profess  not  to  speak  upon  any  grouml 
more  sure  than  my  own  surmises,  I  sec  no  reason  to 
suppose  that  it  was  incorrect.  Be  this,  however,  as  ii 
may,  one  thing  is  certain,  that  the  force  which  but  ,i 
moment  ago  had  threatened  us  disappeared,  and  tha; 
neither  it,  nor  any  other,  gave  us  the  slightest  annoy, 
ance  during  the  remainder  of  our  watch. 

T  am  quite  aware,  that  the  preceding  account  will 
convey  to  the  mind  of  the  reader  but  a  very  inadequati' 
idea  of  the  state  of  painful  and  feverish  cxcitcmen; 
which  aftected  us  during  the  greater  part  of  the  nighi. 
From  the  instant  that  wc  became  acquainted  with  the 


•t. 


^- 


"ip 


A    STJBALTERX    IN    AMERICA. 


59 


attempt  which  was  about  to  be  made  against  us,  we  na- 
turally looked  for  its  commencement ;  and  hence  every 
noise,  the  sighing  of  the  wind  through  the  trees,  the 
waving  of  the  branches,  the  creaking  of  a  gate  or  door 
u])on  its  hinges,  one  and  all  of  these,  as  often  as  they 
occurred,  were  construed  into  the  sound  of  an  advanc- 
ing enemy.     Nor  was  this  feeling  of  anxiety  less  in- 
tensely experienced  by  the  sentinels  than  by  us.     All 
their  senses  may  truly  be  said  to  have  been  upon  tlie 
stretch  ;  and  as  there  was  no  moon,  nor  any  other  light 
except  that  which  the  stars  alForded,  it  is  not  to  bo  won- 
dered at  if  the  sense  of  sight  repeatedly  deceived  them. 
Many  a  busli  and  stake  was  pointed  out  as  the  leading 
file  of  a  column  of  troops ;  more  than  one  musket  was 
levelled  at  such  imaginary  foes ;  and  but  that  most  of 
thorn  were  old  soldiers,  well  trained  to  coolness  and 
\  caution,  the  worst  consequences  might  have  followed. 
Our  situation,  be  it  remembered,  was  totally  ditrercnt 
from  that  of  an  ordinary  out-post.     In  the  latter  case, 
3'our  cjetachment  forms  but  one  link  of  a  connected 
i;linin,  any  ciYovt  to  break  in  upon  which  must  be  made 
at  the  hazard  of  alarming  the  whole  army;  and  if  you 
be  forced,  your  retreat  is  always  direct  and   sure  upon 
the  main  body.     Wo  at  this  moment  stood  pecfectly 
alone;  and  though  a  ihw  sentinels  doubtless  communi- 
cated from  us  to  the  picquets,  5000  men  might  have 
thrown  themselves  between  us  and  the  camp,  without 
our  being  able,  by  any  exertions,  to  know  it.     Tliere 
IS  not  a  doubt  that  we  owed  our  safety  altogetlier  to  the 
opportune  arrival  of  the  convoy;  though  even  that, 
which  consisted  of  no  more  than  130  men,  might  have 


J 


60 


A   SUBALTERN   IN    AMERICA. 


been  cut  off  as  well  as  we,  had  the  Americans  been 
somewhat  less  cautious  of  risking  their  persons. 

I  have  said,  that  after  the  retreat  of  the  corps  which 
threatened  us  from  the  cross  road,  we  neither  saw  nor 
heard  anything  more  of  the  enemy  that  night.  The 
Alexandrian  road  continued,  indeed,  to  the  last  to  fur- 
nish occupation  for  the  vigilance  of  our  sentries ;  for 
there  was  no  end  to  the  stragglers,  sailors,  companies, 
and  troops,  which  moved  along  it.  But  this  circum- 
stance, though  abundantly  harassing  at  the  moment, 
tended  not  a  little  to  increase  our  security,  inasmuch  as 
it  gave  intimation  to  the  Americana,  if  any  lay  near, 
that  our  people  were  awake.  At  length,  however,  the 
moment  of  our  departure  drew  on,  and  we  waited  its 
arrival  with  the  most  unfeigned  satisfaction.  The  first 
streaks  of  dawn  were  barely  visible,  when,  calling  in 
the  more  remote  sentinels,  we  began  our  march  towards 
the  camp;  and,  gathering  up  the  rest  as  we  proceeded, 
reached  Woodyard  just  as  the  army  was  making  ready 
to  prosecute  its  advance. 


li 


•11 


A    SIBALTERN    I^    AMERICA. 


61 


Americans  been 


CHAPTER  VI. 


ACTIOX  AT  iJLAUENSHURi;. 


The  sun  had  not  yet  risen,  when,  under  the  guidance 
ol"  t\\  o  natives,  whom  our  Quarter-Master-Gencral  had 
imjircssed  into  the  service,  the  column  began  to  move. 
Notwithstanding  the  excessive  fatigues  of  last  night, 
Miarlton  and  I  were  far  from  being  displeased  at  find- 
ing that  an  increase  to  the  strength  of  the  advancetl 
u'uard  was  necessary,  and  that  it  fell  to  our  lot  to  fill 
rhat  important  situation.  Our  men,  likewise,  were  ma- 
nifestly delighted  with  the  post  assigned  to  them,  for  the 
iJ'w  hints  which  had  been  dropped  as  we  pursued  our 
way  Irom  the  chateau,  as  to  the  desirableness  of  a  little 
r.'pose,  after  so  many  hours  of  watching,  were  heard 
no  more.  We  cheerfully  took  our  ground  as  one  of  the 
live  companies  committed  to  the  direction  of  Major 
J^rown,  and  marched  otf  in  the  same  excellent  spirits 
which  had  animated  us  during  the  operations  of  yes- 
terday. 

We  soon  cleared  the  few  open  fields  which  surround- 
ed the  place  of  last  night's  bivouac,  and  struck  into  a 
wood,  more  dense  and  more  tangled  than  any  which  we 


(I 


i 


63 


A   SUBALTEBN    IN    AMERICA. 


n  * 


had  yet  traversed.  The  path  was  so  narrow,  that  four 
nicii  could  with  dilFiculty  move  abreast ;  and  the  thick- 
ets M'cre  so  close  and  rough  on  either  side,  that  the  flank 
patrols  could  make  their  way  through  only  by  dint  of 
painful  exertions,  and  at  a  very  leisurely  pace.  Yet  of 
ono  comfort  we  were  all  very  sensible.  The  boughs 
meeting  overhead,  completely  sheltered  us  from  the  rays 
of  the  sun ;  and  notwithstanding  the  gloom  which  so 
l)road  a  canopy  cast  around  us,  we  saw,  from  the  co- 
louring wliich  fell  upon  the  grass,  that  to  be  so  shelter- 
ed from  such  a  sun,  was  a  source  of  no  slender  self- 
congratulation.  We  were  now,  it  appeared,  crossing 
the  country,  by  a  way  little  used  except  for  sportsmen, 
and  hastening  back  into  the  great  road  to  Washington, 
which  had  yesterday  been  abandoned. 

Not  a  single  event  fell  out  worthy  of  repetition,  dur- 
ing the  four  hours  which  were  expended  in  traversing 
this  forest.  No  ambuscades  lay  in  our  way,  nor  did 
any  skirmishers  attempt  to  harass  our  movement.  Ex- 
treme bodily  weakness,  and  the  almost  impervious  na- 
ture of  the  thicket,  alone  served  to  make  our  progress 
tardy.  But  at  lusi  ihe  wood  began  to  assume  a  more 
open  appearance ;  spaces  occurred  here  and  there,  which 
gave  proof  of  attempts  made  to  clear  it  away ;  and  tin. 
path  became  wider,  more  firm,  and  more  like  a  roatl 
adapted  to  the  common  traffic  of  a  civilized  country. 
In  a  word,  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  we  fr>unil 
ourselves  within  view  of  the  point  to  which  our  sieps 
were  directed ;  and  in  half  an  hour  after,  the  by-path 
was  abandoned,  and  we  were  once  more  in  full  march 
towards  the  capital. 


A    SUflALTEHN    IN   AMEHICA.  fi'.i 

iVothing  can  be  imagined  more  striking  than  the 
change  which  became  immediately  perceptible  in  all  the 
outward  appearances  of  nature.     Instead  of  trackless 
wilds,  we  found  ourselves  marching  through  a  country 
sufficiently  open  to  convey  the  idea  of  its  being  well 
IKiopled,  and  yet  so  far  feathered  with  groves  and  plan- 
tations, as  to  give  to  it  a  degree  of  beauty,  of  which  a 
state  of  over-population  will  doubtless  some  day  def)rive 
It.     Green  meadows  and  corn  fields  were  separated  from 
one  another  by  patches  of  the  ancient  forest,  which 
.seemed  to  have  been  left  standing,  not  so  much  for  the 
purposes  of  use  as  for  ornament;  whilst  here  and  there 
^  gentle  hill  would  swell  up,  cultivated  to,  perhaps,  the 
half  of  its  ascent,  and  crowned  with  wood.     Nor  were 
villages  and  solitary  dwellings  wanting.     Within  the 
space  of  three  miles,  we  passed  two  hamlets,  built  each 
in  a  single  row,  by  the  wayside;  while  numerous  farm- 
houses, steadings,  and  larger  structures  rising  from  time 
to  time  on  either  hand,  indicated  that  we  had  at  last  at- 
tained  to  a  region  of  something  like  refinement.     We 
\\cre  all,  both  officers  and  men,  conscious  that  a  pow- 
'  rful  revulsion  in  our  feelings  was  effected  by  this  chang.. 
in  our  circumstances.     Numbers  who  had  begun  to  lag 
behind,  acquired  new  vigour  from  the  con)    nplation  of 
so  many  signs  of  life ;  and  conversation,  w'  ch  for  some 
lime  past  had  almost  entirely  ceased,  w       ;enewed  in 
every  rank  with  fresh  volubility.     To  ad.  .^  the  gene- 
ral spirit  of  exhilaration,  the  bugles  of  the  light  corps 
sounded  a  lively  march,  and  the  troops  moved  on,  in 
spite  of  heat  and  weakness,  merrily,  gay ly,  and  rapidly. 
But  It  was  not  alone  because  we  beheld  houses  and 


^ 


64 


A    SUBALTKHN    IN    A.MKRICA. 


barns  nbundantly  uround  us,  that  our  spirits  returned 
to  us  on  th(!  present  occasion.     There  were  other  oh- 
jects  discernible,  not  less  capable  than  these  of  puttinj; 
soldiers  upon  their  mettle.     The  road  by  which  we  tra- 
veiled  was  deeply  indented  with  the  track  of  men's  feet 
and  horses'  hooves,  and  by  and  by  a  few  green  fields 
on  each  side  presented  manifestations  of  a  recent  en- 
campment.    The  ashes  of  fires  not  long  extinguisheH 
were  still  smoking.     Morsels  of  provision,  bits  of  cloth- 
iiig,  a  firelock  hero  and  there,  and  numerous  bundles  of 
stmw,  all  told  a  tale  of  troops  having  spent  the  night 
here;    whilst   palings,  torn  down  in  large  quantities, 
seemed  to  imply,  that  of  the  force  whose  route  we  wer. 
following,  no  inconsiderable  portion  was  composeil  ot 
cavalry.  The  expectation  of  being  momentarily  charged, 
f-oiild  not,  under  these  circumstances,  fail  to  arise  in  the 
minds  of  all ;  and  as  we  had  no  horses  of  our  own  com- 
petent to  protect  the  infantry  even  from  the  attack  of  a 
single  squadron,  the  infantry  made  ready  to  form  info 
sqiuircs  at  a  moment's  notice,  and  protect  themselves. 
It  was  at  this  juncture  that  the  mounted  drivers  proved 
f)f  the  most  essential  service  to  the  e'lpedition.     Beini' 
attached  to  the  advanced  guard,  they  were  placed,  lik< 
us,  under  the  general  orders  of  Major  Brown,  and,  di- 
rected by  their  own  officer,  (Captain  Lempriere  of  tlu 
artillery,)  they  were  most  active,  and  most  daring,  in 
their  efforts  to  hinder  a  surprisal.     They  rode,  some- 
times as  far  as  musket-shot,  a-head  of  the  light  infant- 
ry, and  posted  themselves,  in  sections  of  three  or  four. 
at  the  corners  of  every  grove,  round  which  they  found 
it  either  unsafe  or  impracticable  to  attempt  a  circuit. 


Sip-'sf*-^*  «--«?*!«sf»! 


ICA. 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


66 


r  spirits  returned 
e  wore  other  oV>- 
I  these  of  puttinj; 

by  which  we  tra- 
rack  of  men's  feet 

few  green  fields 
IS  of  a  recent  en- 
ong  extinguished 
ision,  bits  of  cloth- 
Tie  rous  bundles  of 
g  spent  the  night 

largo  quantities. 
)se  route  we  wen 
was  composed  ot 
nentarily  charged, 
fail  to  arise  in  thf 
s  of  our  own  com- 
)m  the  attack  of  a 
3ady  to  form  info 
otect  themselves, 
itcd  drivers  proved 
'ipedition.     Beini' 

were  placed,  lik« 
)r  Brown,  and,  di- 

Lempriere  of  tlu 
d  most  daring,  in 
They  rode,  some- 
if  the  light  infant- 
s  of  three  or  four. 

which  they  found 

attempt  a  circuit- 


The  infantry  of  the  advance,  too,  was  particularly  nc 
tivc;  not  a  single  hiding-place  was  loft  unexplored;  by 
which  means,  though  prudently  on  the  alert,  the  inain 
body  was  enabled  to  move  on,  under  the  full  a.ssurance 
that  no  enemy  could  reach  them  without  time  enough 
being  allowed  for  the  assumption  of  any  order  which 
might  be  necessary. 

Things  continued  thus,  no  enemy  making  his  appear- 
ance, till  about  ten  o'clock,  when  the  worn-out  condition 
of  his  troops  compelled  the  general  to  halt.  Wo  had 
traversed  a  distance  of  not  less  than  twelve  miles,  and 
had  journeyed  for  the  last  hour  under  a  sun,  than  which 
it  were  hard  to  conceive  any  more  scorching.  There 
was  not  a  breath  of  air  to  fan  our  cheeks,  and  the  du.st 
and  fine  sand  were  not  less  annoying  to  our  eyesight 
and  respiration,  than  they  had  been  on  the  afternoon 
when  our  inroad  began.  Numbers  of  our  best  men  had 
already  fallen  by  the  way-side,  and  numbers  more  were 
prepared  to  imitate  their  example.  It  was,  therefore, 
with  a  degree  of  satisfaction,  of  which  the  very  memory 
has  doubtless  departed  from  those  who  experienced  it, 
that  we  listened  to  tlic  notes  which  directed  us  to  rest. 
We  threw  ourselves  down  upon  the  grass,  and  in  tivc 
minutes  the  mass  of  the  army  was  asleep.  For  myself, 
the  exertions  of  to-day,  superadded  to  the  toil  and  anx- 
iety  of  last  night,  completely  overpowered  me.  Tliough 
the  loss  of  life  had  been  the  consequence,  I  question 
whether  I  should  have  been  able  to  resist  the  drowsi- 
ness which  overwhelmed  me.  My  eyes  were  closed 
before  my  head  reached  the  ground,  and  I  continued 


ri?' 


66 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


perfectly  ignorant  of  all  that  was  passing,  for  a  full  hour 
and  a  half. 

It  was  not  without  some  difficulty,  as  he  himself  in- 
formed me,  that  at  the  close  of  that  period  my  young 
friend  Williams  contrived  to  shake  me  into  a  state  of 
renewed  consciousness.  At  length,  however,  by  dint 
of  violent  exertions  on  his  part,  I  was  enabled  to  open 
my  eyes,  and  to  sec  that  the  corps  to  which  I  was  at- 
tached had  already  begun  its  march,  and  that  the  others 
were  preparing  to  follow.  Hurrying  >er  it,  we  soon 
overtook  our  division ;  and  the  same  ine  of  scour- 
ing fields,  scampering  through  thickets,  and  feeling  our 
way  over  defiles  and  hollows,  was  repeated,  with  .hb 
•same  results  us  before. 

We  had  proceeded  about  a  couple  of  miles  from  the 
halting-place,  and  the  hour  of  noon  was  past,  when  our 
attention  was  suddenly  drawn  to  the  left,  by  several 
heavy  clouds  of  dust  which  rose  in  that  direction. 
Though  wc  could  not  doubt  from  what  source  the  dust 
proceeded,  the  intervention  of  a  considerable  copse  be- 
tween us  and  it,  hindered  us  from  saying  with  certainty 
that  the  enemy  was  in  the  position.  The  screen  thus 
interposed  was,  however,  speedily  withdrawn.  A  far- 
ther advance  of  some  hundred  and  fifty  yards  brought 
us  clear  of  the  plantation,  and  the  American  army  be- 
came visible.  Williams  and  I  were  walking  together 
at  that  instant.  "Are  these  Yankees .'"  said  he,  with 
all  the  naivete  imaginable ;  "  or  are  they  our  own  sea- 
men  got  somehow  ahead  of  us?" 

I  could  not  repress  a  smile  at  the  question,  though, 


Tr^ 


fttS 


A    StnALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


67 


IS  he  himself  in- 
period  my  young 
Tie  into  a  state  of 
fiowever,  by  dint 
enabled  to  open 
<  which  I  was  at- 
^d  that  the  others 
"^cr  it,  we  soon 

0  ;ine  of  scour- 
!,  and  feeling  our 
ipeated,  with  .hb 

f  miles  from  the 
IS  past,  when  our 
J  left,  by  severe! 

1  that  direction, 
t  source  the  dust 
Jerable  copse  bc- 
ig  with  certainty 
rhe  screen  thus 
hdrawn.  A  iar- 
y  yards  brought 
lerican  army  be- 
walking  together 
3?"  said  he,  with 
ey  our  own  sea- 

question,  though, 


to  say  the  truth,  an  older  soldier  than  Williams  might 
have  easily  mistaken  the  force  opposed  to  us  for  any- 
thing rather  than  the  army,  on  whose  valour  the  safety 
of  a  great  capital  depen(k3d. 

The  corps  which  occupied  the  heights  above  Bladens- 
burg,  was  composed  chiefly  of  militia;  and  as  the  Am- 
erican militia  are  not  dressed  in  uniform,  it  exhibited  to 
our  eyes  a  very  singular  and  a  very  awkward  appear- 

oe.  Sufficiently  armed,  but  wretchedly  equipped, 
clothed  part  in  black  coals,  others  in  blue,  others  in  or- 
dinary sliooting-iackets,  and  some  in  round  frocks,  the 
three  motley  linos  of  infantry,  but  that  their  order  was 
tolerably  regular,  might  have  passed  off  very  well  for 
a  crowd  of  spectators,  coine  out  to  vic\.'  the  approach 
of  the  army  which  was  to  occupy  Washington.  A  few 
companies  only,  perhaps  two,  or  at  the  most  three  bat- 
talions, wearing  the  blue  jacket,  which  the  Americans 
liavc  borrowed  from  the  French,  presented  some  appear- 
ance of  regular  troops.  The  rest,  as  I  have  just  men- 
tioned, seemed  country  people,  who  would  have  been 
much  more  appropriately  employed  in  attending  to  their 
agiicultural  occupations,  tiian  in  standing,  with  muskets 
in  their  hands,  on  thu  brow  of  a  bare  green  hill.  There 
were,  however,  upon  the  right,  some  squadrons  of  horse, 
whose  bearing  was  sufficiently  warlike,  whilst  about 
twenty  pieces  of  cannon,  arranged  at  different  points 
along  the  ridge,  spoke  of  another  and  more  serious  af- 
fair, than  a  mere  triumphal  march  through  the  middle 
of  tliis  levy. 

I  have  seldom  boe.i  more  forcibly  struck  with  any, 
thing  than  with  the  contrast,  which  a  glance  to  the  rear 


liflltmt»iKtt^Ff--'wm.  mi  ^'m*" 


68 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


afforded  at  tliis  moment,  with  the  spectacle  which  was 
before  me.  A  column  of  four  thousand  British  sol- 
diers^ moving  in  sections  of  six  abreast,  and  covering 
an  extent  of  road  greater  than  its  windings  would  per- 
mit the  eye  to  take  in,  met  my  gaze  in  that  quarter. 
The  dress,  the  perfect  regularity  of  their  step,  the  good 
order  which  they  preserved,  and,  above  all,  the  internal 
conviction,  that  they  were  only  advancing  to  victory, 
excited  in  me  feelings  for  which  I  have  no  words,  and 
which  he  only  can  conceive  who  has  stood  in  a  similar 
situation.  Nor  was  it  the  sense  of  sight  alone,  which, 
on  the  present  occasion,  was  forced  into  a  powerful 
comparison.  The  Americans,  from  the  instant  that  our 
advanced  guard  came  in  view,  continued  to  rend  the  air 
with  shouts.  Our  men  marched  on,  silent  as  the  jrrave, 
and  orderly  as  people  at  a  funeral.  Not  a  word  was 
spoken,  scarcely  a  whisper  passed  from  man  to  man, 
but  each  held  his  breath,  and  mustered  up  his  best  cou- 
I'age  for  the  shock. 

The  head  of  the  column  had  just  turned  the  corner 
of  the  wood,  when  it  halted,  and  an  aide-de-camp  riding 
up  to  Major  Brown,  desired  that  he  would  proceed  with 
the  advanced  guard,  ascertain  the  state  of  the  village  of 
Bladensburg,  and,  in  case  it  should  be  occupied,  dis- 
lodge  its  garrison.  This  order  the  Major  prepared  to 
obey,  and,  calling  in  all  his  skirmishers,  except  about 
half  a  company,  he  formed  h"s  men  into  one  little  co- 
lumn for  the  assault. 

I  have  said,  that  the  Americans,  in  three  lines,  occu- 
pied  certain  green  hills,  about  a  couple  of  miles  to  fho 
left  of  the  point  from  whence  we  now  beheld  them, 


5!i 


<t! 


CA. 

tacle  which  was 
and  British  sol- 
it,  and  covering 
Jincs  would  per- 
!  in  that  quarter. 
;ir  step,  the  good 
i  all,  the  internal 
icing  to  victory, 
D  no  words,  and 
food  in  a  similar 
fht  alone,  which, 
into  a  powerful 

I  instant  that  our 
id  to  rend  the  air 
ent  as  the  grave, 
sFot  a  word  was 

II  man  to  man, 
up  his  best  cou- 

'ned  the  corner 
3-de-camp  riding 
jld  proceed  with 
of  the  villase  of 
»c  occupied,  dis- 
ijor  prepared  to 
rs,  except  about 
to  one  little  co- 

[iree  lines,  occu- 

of  miles  to  tho. 

w  beheld  them, 


A    StBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


69 


Between  their  position  and  ours,  ran  a   branch  of  tho 
river  Potomac,  across  which  a  bridge  was  thrown  at  the 
_   cxtrcmitv  of  the  main  street  of  Bladcnsburg.     The  road 
H  which  conducted  to  the  bridge  ran  parallel  with  the 
* .   .stream,  and  compelled  us  to  move  for  some  time  com- 
pletely under  the  eyes  of  the  enemy,  whilst  the  town 
itself  stood  on  our  side  of  the  river,  and  was  com- 
manded by  several  of  their  guns.     It  is  a  place  of  in- 
considerable size,  not  capable,   I  should  conceive,  of 
containing  more  than  a  thousand  or  fifteen  hundred  in- 
habitants; but  the  houses  are,  for  the  most  part,  com- 
posed of  briclt,  and  there  is  a  mound  on  the  right  of 
the  entrance,  very  well  adapted  to  hold  a  light  licld- 
piece  or  two,  for  the  purpose  of  sweeping  the  road. 
L'nder  these  circumstances  we  naturally  concluded  that 
«u  American  force  must  be  here.     Though  out  of  the 
regular  line,  it  was  not  so  far  advanced  but  that  it  miclit 
have   been  maintained,  if  not  to  the  last,  at  all   events 
ibr  many  hours,  whilst  the  means  of  retreat,  so  soon  as 
the  garrison  should  be  fairly  overpowered,  were  direct 
and  easy.     Our  surprise,  therefore,  was  not  less  pal- 
pable than  our  satisfaction,  when,  on  reaching  the  town^ 
wv  found  that  it  was  empty. 

As  our  orders  went  no  fartlicr  than  to  direct  that  wo 
should  ascertain  in  what  condition  the  place  stood,  our 
commanding  otlicer  deemed  it  needless  to  attempt  any- 
thing beyond  its  mere  occupation.  Even  this,  however, 
was  not  effected  without  annoyance.  The  principal 
street  which  conducted  to  the  bridge,  lay  completely 
exposed  to  the  fire  of  a  two-gun-battery,  which  the 
U'liemy  had  erected  about  the  centre  of  their  position; 


'I    i 


7* 


■j^mmmi^. 


70 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


nd  instantly  on  our  showing  ourselves  that  battery 
opened.  It  was  well  served,  and  the  guns  were  admira- 
bly laid.  The  very  first  shot  cost  us  three  men;  one  ^ 
killed,  and  the  other  two  dreadfully  wounded;  and  the 
second  would  have  been,  in  all  probability,  not  less  fatal, 
had  we  not  very  wisely  avoided  it.  Wc  inclined,  at 
once,  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  road ;  and  winding 
round  the  houses,  made  our  way  without  any  farther 
loss,  as  far  as  the  last  range ;  when  we  were  command- 
ed to  lie  down,  and  wait  for  the  column. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  main  body  being  informed  how 
matters  stood,  resumed  its  march,  and  approaclicd  the 
town.  It  was  saluted,  as  we  had  been  saluted,  by  a 
heavy  and  well-directed  cannonade ;  but  being  warned 
by  some  of  our  people,  where  the  danger  lay,  it  so  far 
avoided  it,  as  to  close  up  its  ranks,  and  efTect  all  the  ar- 
rangements necessary  for  the  assault,  under  cover  of 
the  green  mound.  Whilst  this  was  going  on,  Charlton, 
Williams,  and  myself,  having  got  our  company  as  well 
together  as  might  be,  were  lying  behind  a  house,  in 
momentary  expectation  of  the  word.  Cannon  shot. 
after  cannon  shot,  continued  all  the  while,  to  pass  through 
the  thin  brick  walls  about  us;  nevertheless  we  felt  it 
derogatory  to  our  character  to  move,  and  we  treated 
these  visitations  with  no  other  notice  besides  an  ill-ap- 
plied  raillery.  At  last  a  ball  struck  a  soldier  who  lay 
between  Williams  and  myself,  and  carried  off  his  leg. 
The  boy  looked  at  me,  as  much  as  to  ask  how,  under 
such  circumstances,  he  ought  to  behave;  and  though,  I 
dare  say,  his  courage  was  quite  equal  to  mine,  I  really 
could  not  help  laughing  at  the  peculiar  expression  which 


* 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


71 


vcs  that  battery 
jns  were  admira- 
i  three  men;  one 
OLindcd;  and  the 
ity,  not  less  fatal, 

^^'c  inclined,  at 
id ;  and  winding 
hout  any  farther 
;  were  command- 
in. 

ing  informed  how 
1  approached  the 
een  saluted,  by  a 
but  being  warned 
iger  lay,  it  so  far 
I  cfTcct  all  the  ar- 
It,  under  cover  of 
)ing  on,  Charlton, 
company  as  well 
;hind  a  house,  in 
.  Cannon  shot, 
e,  to  pass  through 
hclcss  we  felt  it 
,  and  we  treated 
resides  an  ill-ap- 
,  soldier  who  lay 
rried  off  his  lejj. 

ask  how,  under 
vc;  and  though,! 

to  mine,  I  really 
expression  which 


passed  across  his  countenance.  But  no  great  while 
was  granted  for  consideration.  The  accident  just  re- 
corded had  hardly  happened,  when  Colonel  Thornton, 
riding  up,  exclaimed,  "  Now,  my  lads,  forward ! — You 
sec  the  enemy ;  you  know  how  to  serve  them."  So 
saying,  he  spurred  on,  and  the  whole  of  tho  advance, 
springing,  with  the  celerity  of  thought,  into  their  places, 
rushed  towards  the  bridge.  It  was  gained  in  a  mo- 
ment :  but  a  couple  of  guns,  which  had  doubtless  been 
laid  with  special  care,  instantly  opened,  and  seven  men 
were  swept  down.  No  pause,  however,  occurred. 
"  Forward,  forward,"  was  the  only  word  heard ;  and 
forward  we  hurried,  as  fast  as  the  excessive  faticue 
which  we  had  undergone  during  the  last  cight-and-forty 
hours  would  n.'aow. 

I  had  forgotten  to  mention,  that  whilst  our  uank  of 
the  river  was  bare  and  exposed,  that  occupied  by  the 
cincmy  was  covered  with  a  pretty  thick  belt  of  wood, 
wliich  they  iiad  very  judiciously  fdled  with  a  host  of 
riflemen.  These,  taking  cool  and  deliberate  aim  from 
their  lurking  places,  soon  began  to  gall  us  with  their 
fire.  Not  a  few  of  our  men  fell  beneath  it ;  but  the 
bridge  was  instantly  cleared;  the  advance  was  quickly 
scattered  into  skirmishing  order,  and  in  five  minutes,  or 
little  more,  the  belt  was  emptied  of  its  defenders.  Never 
did  men  with  arms  in  their  hands,  make  better,  use  of 
their  legs.  Though  we  did  our  best  to  kill  a  few  of 
them,  I  question  whether  one  American  lost  his  life  in 
that  copse ;  so  rapid,  or  if  you  please,  so  judiciously 
conducted,  was  their  retreat. 

We  had  hardly  cleared  this  little  wood,  when  the  85th 


f  i 


ll 


Hi 


78 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


i    !' 


regiment,  and  the  light  companies  of  the  4th  and  44th, 
came  pouring  up  to  our  assistance.     To  these  we  now 
attached  ourselves,  and  the  whole  of  the  light  hriCTade. 
forming  into  one  extended  line,  advanced  to  the  attack. 
It  was  our  fortune  to  act  upon  the  left  of  the  road, 
w  here  the  copse  happened  to  be  more  thick,  and  the 
ground  considerably  more  uneven,  than  on  the  right. 
The  consequence  was,  that  we  moved  on  for  several 
minutes  without  seeing  any  enemy;  but  the  wood  sud- 
denly ending,  an  open  slopmg  .icld  lay  before  us;  ai.d 
in  the  rear  of  a  high  palin::,  which  ran  across  the  cen- 
tre  of  that  field,  the  enem\  d  first  line  presentf  d  itself. 
r  have  stood  under  many  heavy  fires  of  musketry  in 
my  day ;  but  I  really  do  not  recollect  to  have  witnessed 
any  more  heavy  than  that  which  they  instantly  opened 
upon  us.     Had  wc  been  a  numerous  body,  and  in  com- 
pact array,  our  loss  must  have  been  terrible ;  but  wo 
were  few  in  number — certainly  not  more  than  one  hun- 
dred in  all;  and  our  order  was  that  of  skirmishers,  each 
tile  being  full  ten  paces  apart  from  the  other.     The 
Americans,  on  the  other  hand,  were  in  line,  wedged  to- 
gether as  closely  as  they  could  stand ;  their  number 
could  not  fall  short  of  a  thousand  men,  if  they  exceed- 
ed it  not,  and  they  fired  volley  after  volley  as  fast  as 
they  could  load  their  pieces,  and  raise  them  again  to 
their  shoulders.     Five  guns,  moreover,  played  upon  us 
without  intermission:  in  a  word,  I  can  compare  the 
shower  of  balls  of  all  sizes  and  descriptions,  which 
whistled  round  us,  to  nothing  more  aptly,  than  the  pelt- 
ing of  a  hail  storm,  which  a  strong  north-easterly  wind 
drives  into  your  face.     The  whole  ground  at  our  feet 


I 


•4 


tCA. 

she  4th  and  44th, 
Vo  these  we  now 
the  light  brigade, 
;ed  to  the  attack. 

left  of  the  road, 
:e  thick,  and  the 
m  on  the  right. 
i  on  for  several 
Jt  the  wood  sud- 
'■  before  us ;  ai.J 
I  across  the  cen- 
presentf'd  itself. 

of  musketry  in 
I  have  witnessed 
instantly  opened 
dy,  and  in  com- 
Icrrible ;  but  we 
•e  than  one  hun- 
iirmishers,  each 
he  other.     The 
line,  wedged  to- 
;  their  number 
if  they  exceed - 
)Iley  as  fast  as 

them  again  to 
played  upon  us 
n  compare  the 
•iptions,  which 
',  than  the  pelt- 
i-easterly  wind 
md  at  our  feet 


A    SrnALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


73 


was  ploughed  up  with  them,  and  their  singing  was  like 
that  of  a  tempest  through  the  bare  cordage  of  a  vessel 
at  anchor. 

LFnder  this  really  tremendous  fire,  Williams  bore  him- 
self, as  his  gallant  conduct  in  the  skirmishes  which  had 
diversified  our  march,  led  me  to  expect  that  he  would 
Iwar  himself.     There  was  a  railing,  similar  to  that  be- 
hind which  the  Americans  were  drawn  up,  which  cut 
oir  the  copse  from  the  fultivated  fields.     He  was  one 
of  the  first  to  sprinir  over  it;  and  shouting  out  to  the 
men  to  follow,  he  called  to  me  by  name,  and  said,  "  Now, 
■  who  will  be  first  in  the  enemy's  line."     Without  once 
pausing  to  look  behind,  he  rushed  on.     I  kept  my  eye 
upon  him;  iiulcd,  we  were  near  enough  to  converse, 
had  it  been  possible  to  hear  the  sound  of  a  human  voice 
in  such  a  tunudt ;  and  I  did  what  I  could,  rather  to  re- 
strain his  ardour,  than  to  give  it  encouragement.     But 
at  the  very  moment  when  I  was  repeating  my  entrea- 
ties, that  he  would  look  to  the  men,  instead  of  thus  rush- 
ing  on  ahead  of  them,  a  musket-ball  struck  him  on  the 
neck,  and  he  fell  dead  at  my  feet.     He  never  so  much 
as  moved.     The  bullet  passed  through  his  wind-pipe 
and  spinal  marrow,  and  he  was  a  corpse  in  an  instant. 
Poor  fellow !  even  in  the  heat  of  action,  I  looked  at  him 
with  a  feeling  of  bitter  agony,  of  which  words  can  con- 
vey no  impression.     But  I  could  not  pause  to  pay  the 
slightest  tribute  of  respect  to  his  remains ;  I  ran  past 
him,  and  soon  found  my  attention  so  completely  occu- 
pied by  otlicr  matters,  as  to  forget  even  that  such  a  one 
had  lived  and  was  dead.     So  overwhelmingly  exciting 


74 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


is  the  interest  of  a  battle,  and  so  perfectly  engrossing 
are  the  thoughts  to  which  it  gives  birth. 

Notwithstanding  the  paucity  of  our  numbers,  the 
American  line  began  to  waver  as  soon  as  we  arrived 
within  twenty  or  thirty  paces  of  their  front,  and  the 
shouting  preliminary  to  a  charge  had  hardly  been  ut- 
tered, when  they  broke,  and  fled.  Our  men  were  too 
much  fatigued  to  follow  with  any  celerity,  but  we  pur- 
sued as  quickly  as  we  could,  and  bayonetting  some  sea- 
men, who  pertinaciously  clung  to  their  guns,  took  pos- 
session of  two,  out  of  the  five  pieces  of  cannon,  which 
had  so  severely  galled  us.  Our  work  was,  however, 
but  beginning.  In  five  minutes,  we  found  ourselves  in 
front  of  a  second  line,  more  numerous  and  more  steady 
than  that  which  we  had  defeated.  It  was  composed 
wholly  of  regular  troops,  who  received  us,  as  we  came 
on,  with  a  murderous  fire,  and  instantly  advanced  to  the 
charge.  We  could  not  pretend  to  meet  them.  At  the 
first,  we  hardly  mustered  a  hundred  men;  we  were  now 
diminished  to  little  more  than  half  the  number;  a  whole 
regiment  bore  down  upon  us,  and  we  gave  ground. 
We  fell  back,  however,  slowly  and  indignantly,  halting 
from  time  to  time,  and  firing  with  effect ;  whilst  the 
enemy,  instead  of  a  determined  rush,  which,  if  attempt- 
ed,  must  have  destroyed  us  at  once,  followed  at  the  very 
same  pace,  and  with  the  very  same  precautions.  But 
their  fire  was  very  destructive ;  at  least  it  would  have 
been,  had  there  stood  opposed  to  it  men  enough  to  de. 
serve  it. 

We  had  reached  almost  to  the  edge  of  tlie  thicket, 


I  I  u 


ii 


u 


ICA. 

fectly  engrossing 
h. 

ur  numbers,  the 
)on  as  we  arrived 
eir  front,  and  the 
i  hardly  been  ut- 
ur  men  were  too 
Tity,  but  we  pur- 
•netting  some  sea- 
ir  guns,  took  pos- 
of  cannon,  which 
rk  was,  however, 
bund  ourselves  in 
and  more  steady 
[t  was  composed 
;d  us,  as  we  came 
ly  advanced  to  the 
jet  them.  At  the 
en ;  we  were  nosv 
number;  a  whole 
kve  gave  ground, 
iignantly,  halting 
effect;  whilst  the 
which,  if  attempt, 
lowed  at  the  very 
jrecautions.  But 
St  it  would  have 
m  enough  to  de- 

ge  of  tlie  thicket, 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMIIricA.  76 

when  Colonel  Thornton,  with  a  reinforcement  of  fresh 
troops,  coming  up,  restored  to  us  our  former  confidence, 
and  wc  resumed  the  offensive.     The  enemy,  in  their 
turn, fell  back;  but  wc  could  not  follow  with  ouraccus- 
tomed  rapidity ,--our  men  were  scarce  able  to  walk,  far 
I   less  to  run ;  so  there  was  time  for  their  line  also  to  re- 
I  ceive  reinforcements,  before  we  succeeded  in  breaking 
It.     The  battle  became  now  little  else  than  an  uninter". 
mitting  exchange  of  tremendous  volleys.     Neither  party 
gained  or  lost  ground,  but,  for  a  full  half  hour,  stood 
still,  loading  and  firing  as  quickly  as  these  operations 
could  be  performed.     Whilst  this  was  proceeding,  CoL 
onel  Thornton  received  a  ball  in  the  thigh,  and  fell. 
The  Americans  raising  a  shout  at  the  event,  pressed  on; 
and  our  people,  a  little  disheartened,  retired.     Charlton, 
myself,  and  several  other  officers  who  were  in  the  field,' 
did  our  best  to  stay  them,  and  wo  succeeded,  though 
not  till  Colonel  Thornton,  in  order  to  avoid  falling  imo 
the  Jiands  of  the  assailants,  had  been  obliged  to  roll 
himself  down  the  slope,  to  a  considerable  distance. 
He  had  retired,  in  part,  as  far  as  the  ground  where 
poor  Williams  lay,  when  one  musket-ball,  hitting  the 
scabbard  of  my  sword,  broke  it,  and  another,  a°t  the 
same  mstant,  slightly  wounded  my  arm.     Yet  I  hardly 
felt  the  wound,  so  intent  was  I  in  rallying  the  men;  and 
General  Ross  himself  coming  up  at  this  instant,  with 
the  better  part  of  the  4th  regiment,  the  fortune  of  the 
day  was  speedily  decided.     There  was  no  more  distant 
firmg  on  our  part.     Charge,  charge,  was  the  only  word 
of  command  issued.     It  was  heard  with  repeated  ac 
elamations;  and  the  very  music  of  our  cheers  actin- 


f 


70  ^  SUBALTERN    IN    AMEIUCA. 

like  magic  upon  the  Americans,  they  dispersed  and  fled 
in  every  direction. 

It  were  vain  for  me  to  attonijjt  any  description  of  the    ' 
state  of  feeling  whicli  pervades  a  man,  when,  after  some 
hours  of  liaril  lighting,  he  first  sees  the  line  of  the  en- 
emy become  confused,  and  the  manifestations  of  a  flight 
exhibited.     His  whole  soul  is  engrossed  with  thedesin 
of  overtaking  them;  and  if  there  l)e  a  moment  in  man's 
existence  at  whii;h  he  would  sincerely  thank  Providence 
for  the  loan  of  wings,  it  is  surely  then.     For  my  own 
part,  I  strained  my  throat  till  it  became  dry  with  cheer- 
ing; and  running  on,  as  well  as  exhaustion  would  per- 
mit, made  an  effort  to  overtake  the  Americans,  who  es- 
caped from  me,  as  persons  who  are  fresh  will  always 
escape  from  those  that  arc  weary.     To  do  them  justice, 
however,  their  regulars,  or  rather  riglars,  as  Jonathan 
himself  calls  them,  were  not  unmindful  of  the  lessons 
which  they  had  learned  upon  the  parade.     They  co- 
vered their  rear  with  a  cloud  of  rillemen,at  least  equal, 
in  point  of  numbers,  to  the  troops  who  pursued  them; 
and  the  riflemen  very  deliberately,  and  very  judiciously, 
took  up  positions,  from  time  to  time,  wherever  the  cover 
of  bushes  or  underwood  invit(  d  them.     Nor  was  their 
fire  harmless.     Several  individuals,  myself  among  tin 
number,  received  wounds  from  them.     I  plainly  saw 
the  person  who  thus  honoured  me;  he  lay  behind  ah; 
tic  copse,  and  took  aim  three  times  before  he  hit  mc 
but,  at  last,  his  ball  passed  through  the  fleshy  part  o 
my  thigh,  and  he  escaped. 

Too  eager  to  be  aware  that  I  was  again  scratched,  i 
pushed  on  with  my  companions  as  long  as  the  last  o' 


CA. 

lispcrscd  and  fled 

description  of  the 
when,  after  some 
le  line  of  the  en- 
itations  of  a  flight 
id  with  the  desire 
moment  in  man's 
thanl<  Providence 
n.  For  my  own 
ic  dry  with  cheer- 
ustion  would  per- 
nericans,  who  cs- 
resh  will  always 
'o  do  them  justice, 
lars,  as  Jonathan 
ul  of  the  lessons 
aradc.  They  co- 
ien,at  least  equal, 
ho  pursued  them; 
d  very  judiciously, 
,'hercvcr  the  covci 
.  Nor  was  their 
nyself  among  tin 
-n.  I  plainly  saw 
c  lay  behind  a  lii 
before  he  hit  mc 
the  fleshy  part  o 

afjain  scratched,  1 
:ong  as  the  last  o' 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMElilC'A. 


77 


the  retreating  force  continued  in  sight ;  nor  ever  dreamed 
of  halting,  till  fatigue  and  loss  of  blood  together  over- 
powered  me,  and  I  fell  to  the  ground.  Happily  for  me, 
I  dropped  beside  a  pool  of  water ; — it  was  muddy  and 
foul  in  no  ordinary  degree ; — yet  my  thirst,  violent  be- 
fore, and  doubly  violent  now,  from  the  exhaustion  con- 
sequent upon  a  pretty  considerable  hemorrhage,  gave  to 
it  a  delicacy  of  flavour  which  I  had  never  perceived  in 
water  before,  and  shall  probably  never  perceive  again. 
I  drank  till  that  thirst  was  appeased ;  and  then  looking 
round,  perceived  that  there  were  but  three  British  sol- 
dicrs  near  me.  They  sat  down  beside  me,  till  I,  in  some 
degree,  recovered  my  strength ;  and  having  kindly  as- 
sisted me  to  wrap  a  handkerchief  round  the  bleeding 
limb,  we  crawled,  rather  than  marched,  l)ack  to  rejoin 
our  regiment. 


t 


78 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    .^MT•TJ'•-\, 


4 


CHAPTER  \i\. 


DESTRUCTION  OF  WASHINGTON. 


SI  i 


t  r\ 


I  FOUND  the  brigade  gatlicring  together  its  shattered 
remains,  upon  the  summit  of  the  high  ground  which  the 
enemy's  reserve  had  occupied  in  the  morning.  I  say 
shattered  remains,  for  out  of  the  twelve  hundred  men 
who  bore  the  brunt  of  the  battle,  nearly  one-half  had 
fallen  ;  wliilst  of  those  who  survived,  and  were  fit  for 
duty,  many  were  absent  for  the  purpose  of  attending  to 
the  wounded,  and  burying  the  dead.  As  was  but  na- 
tural, my  first  and  most  eager  inquiry  was  for  Charlton. 
One  friend, — not  indeed  of  long  standing,  but  still  sin- 
cerely beloved, — had  this  day  been  taken  from  me.  1 
trembled  lest  I  should  be  doomed  to  learn,  that  another 
was  in  the  dust.  But  my  fears  were  groundless,  for 
Charlton  was  safe  and  unhurt,  and  we  embraced,  as 
friends  are  accustomed  to  do  when  they  meet  again  at 
the  close  of  a  hard-fought  action. 

My  wound,  though  not  severe,  began  about  this  time 
to  trouble  mc ;  the  limb  was  stifle,  and  the  exertion  of 
walking  had  produced  some  inflammation.  A  little  to 
the  rear  of  the  field  of  battle  stood  a  cottage,  into  which 


A    SIBALTBRN    IN    AMERICA. 


79 


n^y  friend  conducted  nic.     Wo  found  in  it  few  accom- 
modations :  but  it  afforded  at  least  clean  water  and  a 
towel,  which,  with  a  fresh  handkerchief,  we  applied  to 
the  hurt,  as  the  best,  and  indeed  the  only  dressing,  which 
c-ould  at  that  moment  be  obtained  ;  for  the  surgeons  were 
a!l   too  busy  to  attend  to  a  case  so  little  urgent.     This 
done,  we  gladly  threw  ourselves  upon  a  sort  of  box-bed 
at  one  end  of  the  room,  and  were  asleep  in  five  minutes. 
Our  repose  was  not,  however,  of  long  continuance. 
The  cottage  soon  became  a  place  of  general  rendezvous 
to  all  the  officers  of  the  brigade,  and  the  scene  thereby 
occasioned  was  at  once  too  lively,  and  too  striking,  not 
to  call  into  play  the  senses  both  of  actors  and  spectu- 
tors.     Congratulations  and  hearty  greetings,  mingled 
with  an  occasional  expression  of  sincere  regret,  broke 
in  upon  our  slumbers;  and  the  many  anecdotes  which 
each  was  enabled  to  relate— the  mode  in  which  affairs 
were  conducted  at  different  parts  of  the  field— of  the 
conspicuous  valour  of  this  or  that  soldier ;  of  the  daring 
or  timidity  of  the  enemy  at  this  or  that  point  in  the  field 
—were  all  a  great  deal  too  interesting  to  be  listened  to 
with  drowsy  ears.     We  quitted  our  couch,  and  joined 
heartily  in  the  conversation  and  mirth  of  those  about  us. 
Of  sober  thought  it  must  be  confessed  that  little  inter- 
vened; the  excitement  of  battle  was  yet  too  recent ;  and 
it  is  not  under  such  circumstances  that  man's  better  and 
holier  feelings  are  in  force.     Sorrow  we  did  profess— 
ay,  and  felt  it  too— that  more  than  one  comrade  whom 
we  loved,  were  absent ;  but  our  minds  were  too  much 
occupied  with  other  thoughts,  to  afford  room  for  any 
profound  or  even  acute  repinings. 


80 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA.. 


We  liud  been  thus  employed  for  perhaps  an  hour  or 
something  better,  when  an  orderly  sergeant  arrived  with 
intelligence,  that  the  second  and  third  brigades  were  in 
motion,  and  that  we  also  should  be  required  to  push  on 
as  soon  as  the  men  were  collected.  A  few  minutes  only 
elapsed,  before  the  bugle  gave  notice,  that  the  corps  was 
mustered.  We  obeyed  the  summons  instantly  ;  and  in 
five  minutes  more,  the  Light  Brigade  took  the  road  to 
Washington. 

It  was  dusk  when  we  quitted  the  position,  and  per- 
fectly dark  before  we  reached  the  high-road ;  but  nei- 
ther confusion  nor  delay  took  place.  The  path  was 
broad  and  well-marked ;  and  the  troops  were  all  in  that 
state  of  discipline,  which  would  have  carried  them  through 
more  serious  difficulties,  had  such  come  in  their  way, 
whilst  the  consciousness  of  having  done  their  duty,  and 
the  expectation  of  reaping  the  fruits  of  theii  toil,  sup- 
ported them  under  the  exertion  which  was  required. 
For  my  own  part,  though  the  effort  to  keep  up  became, 
by  degrees,  seriously  painful,  I  shall  never  cease  to  con- 
gratulate myself  on  having  persisted  in  making  it.  No 
one,  unless  he  has  chanced  to  travel  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances, can  form  the  most  distant  notion  of  the  state 
of  our  feelings  during  the  progress  of  that  journey. 
The  destruction  of  Washington,  or  rather  of  the  stores 
or  public  buildings  in  Washington,  had  already  begun ; 
and  the  heavy  explosions  which  from  time  to  time  oc- 
curred, the  sheets  of  fire  which  quivered  through  the 
air — tlie  very  waving  of  the  flames  heard  in  the  still- 
ness of  night  to  an  extraordinary  distance — formed  al- 
together such  a  scene  as  I  have  no  words  adequate  to 


A    SUBALTER:        \'    AMERICA. 


81 


describe.  The  field  of  battle  was  distant  not  more  than 
four  miles  from  the  city  ;  from  the  first,  tiierefore,  these 
sights  and  sounds  reached  us ;  but  as  we  drew  nearer 
and  near'  -  to  the  spot  from  whence  they  proceeded,  we 
all  felt  tliat  conversation,  under  such  circumstances, 
would  have  been  sacrilegious.  We  moved  in  that  stt  te 
of  admiration,  or  rather  awe,  wliioh  locks  up  the  voice, 
and  oppresses  the  very  reason. 

Having  arrived  at  a  sort  of  common  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  distant  from  the  town,  the  halt  was  sounded, 
;uid  a  bivouac  directed  to  be  formed.  With  this  view 
the  men  piled  their  arms  and  lighted  large  fires,  for 
w  hich  Aiel  was  found  among  the  fences  and  palings 
near,  and  set  about  preparing  their  evening  meal.  That 
'lone,  all  sat  down;  not  with  our  usual  noisy  merri- 
nuMit,  but  to  gaze  in  silence  upon  the  conflagration 
which  still  proceeded.  The  hum  of  conversation  which 
generally  murmurs  through  a  camp,  was  not  heard  to- 
night; those  who  spoke  at  all,  spoke  only  in  whispers, 
as  if  we  hud  been  guilty  of  some  act  which  made  us 
ashamed  to  hear  the  sound  of  our  own  voices,  or  were 
placed  in  a  situation  of  extreme  peril.  It  was  thus  with 
us  for  full  two  hours.  At  last,  however,  a  conscious- 
ness of  great  bodily  fatigue  overcame  every  other  sen- 
sation, and  we  turned  our  feet  towards  our  fires ;  and, 
wrapped  up  as  usual,  soon  fell  asleep. 

But  the  night  was  not  even  now  destined  to  be  passed 
in  quiet.  It  might  be  about  twelve  or  one  o'clock,  wlien 
a  tremendous  peal  of  thunder,  so  loud  as  to  drown,  for 
an  instant,  every  noise,  awoke  us.  The  rain  was  fall- 
ing in  torrents,  and  flash  after  flash  of  vivid  lirrhtnintr 
8*  "^         " 


l!f 


82 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


s 


Hil! 


displayod  not  only  the  bivouac,  but  the  streets,  the 
houses,  nay  the  very  windows  in  the  town,  with  a  de- 
gree of  minuteness  far  greater  than  the  beams  of  a 
noon-day  sun  would  have  produced.  The  effec'  was 
magnificent  beyond  the  power  of  language  to  describe. 
Not  even  the  drenching,  against  which  cloaks  and  blan- 
kets failed  to  afford  protection,  could  lead  me  to  neglect 
the  occurrence;  for  I  really  do  not  recollect,  at  any  pe- 
riod of  my  life,  to  have  been  witness  to  a  spectacle  so 
imposing. 

The  thunder-storms  in  Virginia,  though  violent  to  a 
degree  unknown  in  European  countries,  are  seldom  of 
very  lonfr  continuance.  In  less  than  an  hour,  the  pre- 
sent had  died  away,  and  there  was  again  nothing  to 
break  in  upon  the  quiet  of  the  night,  except  an  occa- 
sional roar  as  a  magazine  blew  up,  or  a  crash,  as  a  wall 
or  roof  loll  to  the  ground.  But  these  were  already  fa- 
miliar to  us;  they  interfered  in  no  respect  with  our  slum- 
bers, which,  being  speedily  renewed,  continued  unbro- 
ken tin  the  hour  of  general  muster  dispelled  them. 

As  soon  as  dawn  appeared,  the  brigade  moved  from 
its  bivouac  upon  the  common,  and  marched  into  the 
town.  I'roceeding  along  a  narrow  street,  which  was 
f-rossed  at  right  angles  by  two  or  three  of  a  similar  de- 
scription, we  arrived  at  a  large  open  space,  surrounded 
on  three  sides  by  the  rudiments  of  a  square,  and  having 
its  fourth  imperfectly  occupied  by  the  ruins  of  the  Sen- 
ate-House. It  is  slightly  raised  above  the  level  of  the 
rest  of  the  city,  and  is  crossed  by  a  paltry  stream,  called, 
ill  true  Yankee  grandi)  f.;n?"ce,  the  Tiber,  as  the  kill 
itself  is  called  the  Capitol.     I!"ire  the  brigade  halted, 


i 


.! 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


83 


the  streets,  the 
;own,  with  a  de- 
the  beams  of  a 
The  effec"  was 
jage  to  describe, 
cloaks  and  blan- 
ad  me  to  neglect 
)llect,  at  any  pe- 
to  a  spectacle  so 

ugh  violent  to  a 
3,  are  seldom  ol" 
in  hour,  the  pre- 
gain  nothing  to 
except  an  occa- 
i  crash,  as  a  wall 
were  already  fa- 
it with  our  slum- 
ontinued  unbro- 
polled  them, 
ide  moved  from 
larched  into  the 
root,  which  way 
!  of  a  similar  de- 
)ace,  surrounded 
iare,  and  having 
ruins  of  the  Seii- 

the  level  of  thn 
y  stream,  called, 
riber,  as  the  l.ill 

brigade  halted, 


and  piling  their  arms  in  two  close  columns,  the  men 
were  permitted  to  lie  down. 

Whilst  the  corps  continued  thus,  I  very  gladly  ac- 
companied the  surgeon  ^nto  a  house  hard  by,  for  the 
purpose  of  having  my  wo^nd  properly  examined  and 
dressed.     I  found  the  build^-'g  deserted  by  its  owners; 
but  of  the  domestics  some  had  ventured  to  remain  be- 
hind ;  and  from  one  of  these  in  particular  I  received  the 
kindest  treatment.     She  was  an  old  negress;  a  free 
woman,  however,  as  she  took  care  to  inform  us,  and  at 
the  head  of  the  establishment.     The  ^  jod-natured  crea- 
ture not  only  produced  the  contents  of  her  master's  lar- 
der, but  conducted  me  up  stairs,  took  a  nice  linen  snirt 
from  a  drawer,  carefully  airer.  it,  and  then  begged  that 
1  would  accept  and  wear  it  for  her  sake.     Now,  I  know 
iiot  whether  an  offer  thus  made  ought,  according  to  the 
strict  letter  of  moral  propriety,  to  have  been  attended 
to;  the  good  woman  was  certainly  giving  away  that 
which  was  not  hers  to  give.     Yet  let  the  truth  be  told. 
I  had  worn  my  shirt  by  night  and  by  day,  under  broil- 
ing  marches,  and  through  rainy  bivouacs,  the  better 
half  of  a  week ;  and  I  confess,  that  the  opportunity  of 
exchanging  it  for  a  snow-v-'hitc  piece  of  linen  and  cam- 
bric, was  a  great  deal  too  tempting  to  be  neglected.     I 
gladly  took  the  American  shirt ;  and  saved  my  own 
conscience,  and  the  hcus*- '..eeper's  reputation,  by  leav- 
ing an  English  one  upon  the  dressing-table  in  its  room. 
It  so  happened,  that   .either  my  friend  nor  myself 
were  employed  in  perpetrating  any  one  of  the  deeds  of 
violence  by  which  ♦b"  visit  of  the  English  arhiv  to  the 
capital  of  the  U  i     >  States  was  distinguished.     Of  the 


h 


!    ' .  f 


84 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


••:   s 


^fl 


L- 


^.^^ 


arsenal,  public  rope-works,  armoury,  bridge  and  palace, 
we  accordingly  saw  nothing,  except  the  smoke  and  flame 
which  marked  their  destruction.  Neither  was  an  op- 
portunity aflbrded  of  making  ourselves  very  intimately 
acquainted  with  the  general  appearance  of  the  ruin. 
Having  procured  a  horse,  I  rode  indeed  through  a  few 
of  what  were  called  streets;  that  is  to  say,  along  ex- 
tensive lanes,  paved  only  in  part,  and  boasting,  in  nu- 
merous instances,  of  no  more  than  five  or  six  houses  on 
each  side  of  the  way,  planted  at  the  distance  of  some 
eighth  part  of  a  mile  from  one  another.  But  with  such 
opportunities  of  gathering  information,  it  would  ill  be- 
come me  to  speak  at  large  of  a  place,  which  has  doubt- 
less changed  its  aspect  greatly  in  the  course  of  twelve 
yeaij,  and  may  be,  for  aughi  I  know  to  the  contrary, 
as  it  might  have  been  then,  possessed  of  a  thousand  se- 
cret attractions,  known  only  to  its  own  denizens.  The 
feature,  in  its  general  aspect,  which  remains  most  pro- 
minently in  my  recollection  is,  however,  not  quite  in 
accordance  with  our  notions  of  a  great  capital.  I  per- 
fectly recollect,  that  in  the  line  of  several  of  its  public 
thoroughfares,  as  well  as  throughout  the  range  of  it.s 
more  fashionable  quarters,  remnants,  and  no  inconsid- 
erable remnarits,  of  the  ancient  forest  were  left  standing. 
Noon  had  passed,  when  heavy  columns  of  dust,  ris- 
ing from  certain  high  grounds  on  the  opposite  bank  of 
the  Patomac,  attracted  our  notice.  We  were  not  left 
long  in  doubt  as  to  the  cause  from  whence  they  pro- 
ceeded ;  for  the  glittering  of  arms  became  instantly  vi- 
sible, and  a  large  American  force  showed  itself.  It 
took  up  a  position  immediately  before  us,  and  pushed 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMEItlCA. 


65 


r,  not  quite  in 


Ibrward  a  patrol  of  cavalry  as  far  as  the  suburbs  of 
Georgetown.     There  was  not  an  individual  in  the  army 
to  whom  tiiese  circumstances  communicated  a  feeling 
at  all  akin  to  surprise.     We  had  been  led  to  expect  an 
attack,  from  the  hour  of  our  advance  into  Washington, 
and  we  were  both  ready  and  willing  to  meet  it,  let  it 
happen  when  it  might.     But  the  elements  interfered  to 
frustrate  the  design  of  the  enemy, — if  indeed  they  se- 
riously entertained  such  a  design— of  driving  us  from 
our  positions ;  for  just  at  this  moment  the  heavens  be- 
came black  with  clouds,  and  a  hurricane,  such  as  I 
never  witnessed  before,  and  shall  probably  never  wit- 
ness again,  began.     I  know  not  anj'thing  in  art  or  na- 
ture to  which  the  noise  of  the  wind  may  be  aptly  com- 
pared.    It  differed  essentially  from  thunder;  yet  I  never 
listened  to  thunder  more  deafening,  and  its  force  was 
such  as  to  throw  down  houses,  tear  up  trees,  and  carry 
stones,  beams  of  timber,  and  whole  masses  of  brick- 
work, like  feathers  into  the  air.     Both  armies  were 
scattered  by  it,  as  if  a  great  battle  had  been  fought  and 
won ;  and  as  it  lasted  without  any  intermission  for  up- 
wards of  three  hours,  neither  party,  at  its  close,  was  in 
a  fit  condition  to  offer  the  slightest  annoyance  to  its  ad- 
versary.    For  our  parts,  it  was  not  without  some  diffi- 
culty that  we  succeeded  iu  bringing  our  stragglers  to- 
gether,  whilst  daylight  lasted ,-  and  if  its  effects  upon  a 
regular  and  victorious  army  were  so  great,  there  can- 
not be  a  doubt  that  it  was  at  least  equally  great  upon  an 
undisciplined  and  intimidated  levy. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  officers  of  the  different  corps 
had  been  directed  in  a  whisper  to  make  ready  for  fall- 


m 


l!; 


f 


86 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


ing  back  as  soon  as  darkness  should  set  in.  From  the 
men,  however,  the  thing  was  kept  profoundly  secret. 
They  were  given,  indeed,  to  understand,  that  un  import- 
ant manoeuvre  would  be  effected  before  to-morrow  morn- 
ing; but  the  hints  thrown  out  tended  to  induce  an  ex- 
pectation of  a  farther  advance,  rather  than  of  a  retreat. 
A  similar  rumour  was  permitted  quietly  to  circulate 
among  the  inhabitants,  with  the  view,  doubtless,  of  its 
making  its  way  into  the  American  camp;  whilst  all 
persons  were  required,  on  pain  of  death,  to  keep  within 
doors  from  sunset  to  sunrise.  This  done,  as  many 
horses  as  could  be  got  together,  were  put  in  requisition 
for  the  transport  of  the  artillery.  Even  the  few  wound- 
ed officers  who  had  accompanied  the  column  were  re- 
quired to  resign  theirs ;  and  mine,  among  the  number, 
was  taken  away.  But  the  precaution  was  a  very  just 
and  proper  one.  Not  only  were  the  guns  by  this  mean» 
rendered  more  portable,  but  the  danger  of  a  betrayal 
from  a  neigh,  or  the  trampling  of  hooves  along  the 
paved  streets,  was  provided  against;  and  though  indivi- 
duals might  and  did  suffer,  their  sufferings  were  not  to 
be  put  into  the  scale  against  the  public  good. 

It  was  about  eight  o'clock  at  night,  when  a  staff-offi- 
cer, arriving  upon  the  ground,  gave  directions  for  the 
corps  to  form  in  marching  order.  Preparatory  to  this 
step,  large  quantities  of  fresh  fuel  wore  heaped  upon  the 
fires,  whilst  from  every  company  a  few  men  were  se- 
lected, who  should  remain  beside  them  till  the  picquets 
withdrew,  and  move  from  time  to  time  about,  so  as  that 
their  figures  might  be  seen  by  the  light  of  the  blaze. 
After  tliis  the  troops  stole  to  the  rear  of  the  fires  by 


^    ^ 


A    SUBALTERN    TN    AMERICA. 


87 


•wos  a*  •  threes;  when  far  enough  vemoved  to  p.oid 
obp'  rvati.'O,  they  took  their  places,  and,  in  profound  si- 
'  -nee,  'i-c<x&n  their  march.     The  night  was  very  dark. 
:'nv-.  ?!-jre  were,  indeed,  in  the  sky;  but  for  sometime 
ai„     ,uitting  the  light  of  the  bivouac,  their  influence 
•.vas  wholly  unfelt.     We  moved  on,  however,  in  good 
order.     No  man  spoke  above  his  breath,  our  very  steps 
were  planted  lightly,  and  we  cleared  the  town  without 
exciting  observation.     About  half  a  mile  in  rear  of  the 
city,  a  second  line  of  fires  had  been  established.     We 
looked  towards  it  now,  and  the  effect  of  the  figures, 
which  from  time  to  time  moved  across  the  flames,  was 
'  xceedingly  striking.     On  arriving  there  we  found  that 
the  other  brigades  had  likewise  commenced  their  re- 
treat, and  that  the  fires  which  burned  so  brightly,  had 
been  prepared  by  them  exactly  as  we  had  prepared  ours, 
previous  to  setting  out.     We  caused  the  few  men  whom 
they  had  left  behind  to  join  us,  as  our  men  had  been 
<-ommanded  to  join  the  picquets,  and  pursued  our  jour- 
ney. 

We  were  now  approaching  the  field  of  the  late  battle, 
when  the  moon  rose,  and  threw  a  soft  pale  light  over 
surrounding  objects.  At  first  her  rays  fell  only  upon 
the  green  leaves  and  giant  boughs  of  the  woods  which 
on  either  hand  closed  in  the  road ;  but  as  we  proceeded 
onwards  other  spectacles  presented  themselves,  some  of 
which  were  of  no  very  cheering  or  lively  nature. 
When  we  gained  the  ridge  which  had  formed  the  crest 
of  the  American  position,  open  green  fields  lay  stretch- 
ed out  before  us;  every  one  presenting  some  manifes- 
tation of  the  drama  which  had  so  lately  been  acted  here. 


im 


K 


^  m 


I 


i 


88 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


Broken  arms,  caps,  cartouch  boxes,  with  here  and  there 
a  dead  body,  naked  and  ghostly  white,  were  scattered 
about  in  every  direction,  whilst  the  smell,  not  exactly 
of  putrefaction,  but  of  something  nearly  akin  to  it,  and 
mingling  with  the  odour  of  scorched  grass  and  extin- 
guished matches,  rose  upon  the  night  air  very  offen- 
sively ;  yet  the  whole  scene  was  one  of  prodigious  in- 
terest and  power.     The  river  and  town  which  lay  near 
us,  the  former  flowing  quietly  and  beautifully  along,  the 
latter  lifting  its  modest  buildings  in  the  silence  of  a 
moonlight  night,  formed  a  striking  contrast  with  the  de- 
vastated and  torn  ground  over  which  we  were  marching, 
whilst  the  only  sound  distinguishable  was  that  of  the 
measured  tread  of  feet  as  the  column  proceeded  down 
the  slope  towards  the  bridge.     It  was  impossible,  whilst 
traversing  the  place  of  his  death,  not  to  think  kindly 
and  aflectionately  of  my  poor  young  friend;  his  body, 
I  well  knew,  was  not  among  the  number  which  were 
bleaching  in  the  rains  and  dews  of  heaven — it  had  been 
carefully  committed  to  the  earth  beside  that  of  a  brother 
oflicer.     I  did  not,  therefore,  look  round  under  the  idea 
of  seeing  it ;  but  I  did  look  round  for  the  spot  where  he 
fell,  and  I  was  grieved  and  disappointed  that  I  could  not 
distinguish  it.     The  lapse  of  a  few  moments,  however, 
was  sufficient  to  draw  off  my  attcntien  to  other,  though 
hardly  less  painful  subjects.     We  were  already  in  the 
village;  and  a  halt  being  commanded,  an  opportunity 
was  afforded  of  enquiring  into  the  condition  of  the 
wounded.     I  failed  not  to  avail  myself  of  it;  but  whilst 
the  men  were  busied  in  picking  up  their  knapsacks, 
which  in  the  heat  of  action  they  had  cast  away,  I  step- 


^4' 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


B9 


ped  to  the  hospital  and  paid  a  hasty  visit  to  the  poor 
fellows  who  occupied  it.  It  was  a  mortifying  reflection, 
that,  in  spite  of  our  success,  the  total  absence  of  all 
adequate  means  of  conveyance  laid  us  under  the  ne- 
cessity of  leaving  very  many  of  them  behind;  nor  could 
the  non-commissioned  officers  and  private  soldiers  con> 
ceal  their  chagrin  on  the  occasion.  One  of  these,  a 
sergeant  of  my  own  company,  who  iiad  received  a  ball 
through  both  thighs,  actually  shed  tears  as  he  wished  me 
farewell,  regretting  that  he  had  not  shared  the  fate  of 
Mr.  Williams.  It  was  in  vain  that  I  reminded  him  that 
he  was  not  singular ;  that  Colonel  Thornton,  Colonel 
Wood,  and  Major  Brown,  besides  others  of  less  note, 
were  doomed  to  be  his  companions  in  captivity ;  neither 
that  consideration,  nor  the  assurances  of  a  speedy  ex- 
change, at  all  served  to  make  him  satisfied  with  his  des- 
tiny. Yet  no  apprehensions  could  be  more  unfounded 
than  those  of  that  man ;  for  however  unlike  civilized 
nations  they  may  be  in  other  respects,  in  the  humanity 
of  their  conduct  towards  such  English  soldiers  as  fell 
into  their  hands,  the  Americans  can  be  surpassed  by  no 
people  whatever.  To  this  the  wounded  whom  we  were 
compelled  to  abandon  to-night  bore,  after  their  release, 
ample  testimony ;  and  they  cold  a  tale  which  hundreds 
Ijosides  have  corroborated. 


I 


n  1 


I   I 


90 


A    81'1«ALTEI{\    IN    AMRKir.4, 


CIIAPTKU  viir. 


I'lt! 


KKTRKAT  FKO.M  \VA^HINt.T(t\. Rr.SJIIPMr.NT  OF  THE 

TKOdl'H. 


Mavin(;  sliakcn  tliis  sergeant,  witli  such  of  the  pri- 
vates as  lay  near  liim,  by  the  hand,  I  proceeded  to  the 
ward  occupied  by  tlie  olFicers;  l)iit  had  barely  time  to 
express  my  commiseration  of  tlieir  case,  vIkmi  notice 
was  given  that  the  column  was  afjain  ready  to  move. 
I  joined  it  without  delay.  The  soldiers,  if  they  had  not 
recovered  each  man  his  own,  were,  at  all  events,  in  pos- 
session of  a  sudicitMit  nnmher  of  knapsacks ;  and  we 
renewed  our  retreat  in  as  p,ood  order  as  had  hitherto 
distinguisheil  it.  (,)f  that  order  it  mny  not  be  out  of 
place  to  give  here  a  brief  account. 

Reversing  the  arrangements  which  had  held  good 
during  the  advance,  the  third  brigade  this  night  led  the 
way  ;  it  was  followed  by  the  artillery,  now  supplied  with 
horses,  which  again  was  succeeded  by  the  second  bri- 
gade. In  rear  of  this  came  the  light  troops,  of  whom 
three  companies,  which  had  furnished  the  picquets  dur- 
ing the  day,  did  the  duty  of  a  rear  guard.  Last  of  all 
moved  the  mounted  drivers,  supported  by  scattered  files 


II 


A    SIBALTERN    1\    \MKKICA. 


01 


r-NT  OF  THE 


of  mfantryon  cuch  side  of  the  way,  whilst  Haifa  troop 
of  rockot-men  marched  between  the  head  of  the  n.-ar- 
<rimrd,and  the  rear  of  tlie  column,  in  readiness  to  bring 
tlieir  horrible  weapons  into  play  at  the  first  alarm. 

Hitherto  our  men  had  moved  on  in  profound  silence. 
Tlie  strictest  orders  had  been  isstied  that  no  one  should 
speak,  and  no  one  thought  of  disobeying  the  order;  but 
as  the  night  stole  on,  and  the  distance  between  us  and 
the  city  became  hourly  greater  and  greater,  a  degree  of 
carelessness  to  the  wishes  of  those  in  power,  became 
iniinifest  through  all  ranks.      J'he  fact  is,  that  we  wore 
completely  worn  out.     The  broken  rest  of  a  single  day 
had  by  no  means  made  amends  for  the  toil  of  the  five 
days  preceding,  and  being  followed  by  a  night-march, 
proved  absolutely  useless.     For  some  time.  Indeed,  ilio 
novelty  of  the  scene  served  to  amuse  us.     It  was  highly 
romantic  to  march  through  thick  forests  and  woody 
glens,  by  the  feeble  light  of  a  young  moon ;  whilst  the 
delicious  coolness  of  the  night-air  came  upon  us  with 
the  greater  force,  that  wc  could  not  avoid  contrasting  it 
with  the  sultry  atmosphere  which  had  oppressed  us 
when  we  last  traversed  these  parts.     Then,  again,  there 
was  the  idea  of  being  followed, — the  chance  of  a  sud- 
den attack,  and  the  prospect  of  a  night  action, — all  these, 
as  long  as  we  were  near  the  position  of  the  enemy's 
camp,  served  to  put  new  mettle  into  our  bosoms.     But 
in  proportion  as  we  got  farther  and  farther  from  the  seat 
oC  danger,  romance  gradually  lost  its  influence;  till 
finally,  the  only  sensation  to  which  we  were  alive,  was 
one  of  overwhelming  weariness ;  and  the  only  wish 
which  we  cared  to  form,  was,  that  an  opportunity  would 


^!j 


M 


I 


Di 


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^^I 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


IM 

2.0 


111= 

LI  MIA 


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o^^ 


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Sciences 
Corporation 


^^'^ 


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>\>, 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  873-4503 


^<^\ 


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ri;>^ 


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f/i 


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6^" 


^ 


92 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


•  i     I    ;  ' 


be  afTorded  of  lying  down  to  rest.  About  midnight,  in- 
deed, and  for  six  hours  after  it,  these  feelings  began  to 
operate  very  powerfully.  The  men  strayed  from  their 
ranks  j  the  officers  found  great  difficulty  in  urging  them 
on;  some  dozed  upon  their  legs, and  fell  under  the  feet 
of  their  comrades;  others  threw  themselves  by  the  way- 
side,  refusing  to  proceed  farther.  In  a  word,  by  sever 
o^clock  in  the  following  morning,  it  was  perfectly  ma- 
nifest that  an  hour's  rest  must  be  taken,  otherwise  one 
half  of  the  troops  would  be  in  danger  of  falling  into  the 
liands  of  the  enemy. 

We  had  accomplished  a  journey  of  some  eighteen  or 
twenty  miles,  when  to  the  unspeakable  joy  of  every 
man  in  the  army,  the  General,  finding  himself  arrived 
at  a  convenient  spot,  commanded  a  halt.     I  candidly 
confess,  that  I  know  nothing  of  the  nature  of  the  ground 
on  which  the  halt  occurred,  nor  of  the  dispositions  which 
were  made  to  render  it  secure,  for  my  men  were  hardly 
stretched  upon  the  grass  when  I  followed  their  example. 
The  only  precaution  which  I  took,  was  to  seek  out  a 
shady  tree  whose  branches  might  shelter  me  from  the 
sun;  there,  from  seven  o'clock  till  a  little  before  noon, 
I  slept  as  soundly  as  ever  weary  traveller  has  slept,  or 
could  desire  to  sleep.     At  that  period  I  was  awoke  to 
breakfast;  and  in  half  an  hour  after,  the  column  was 
again  in  motion. 

The  sun  had  set,  and  twilight  was  rapidly  closing  in, 
when  we  found  ourselves  once  more  in  the  vicinity  of 
Marlborough.  There  it  was  resolved  to  pass  the  night ; 
and  as  the  same  position  was  taken  up  which  we  had 
occupied  during  the  advance,  every  man  felt  himself  in 


A    Sb'BALTKKN    IN    AMEKXCA. 


93 


some  degree  at  home.  For  ourselves,  CImrlloii  and  I, 
uilling,  if  possible,  to  find  shelter  under  a  roof,  wan- 
dered away  to  a  hoi-se  about  a  stone's  throw  apart  fiom 
the  corps;  but  it  would  have  been  better  perhaps,  that 
we  had  remained  in  the  open  air.  The  house  in  ques- 
tion was  tilled  with  such  of  the  wounded,  as  it  had  been 
found  practicable  to  remove  on  horseback,  and  in  the 
clumsy  waggons  which  our  troopers  succeeded  in  cap- 
turing. There  were,  il'  I  recollect  right,  five  or  six 
oOicers  in  one  room ;  among  whom  we  were  persuaded 
to  lie  down.  But  the  groa^iS,  and  querulous  complaints 
oi"  some  of  these  brave  men, — complaints  which  every 
one  who  has  filled  their  situation  will  understand,  and 
for  which  few  will  hesitate  to  make  allowance,  effectu- 
ally  broke  in  upon  our  repose.  We  could  not  go  to 
slotip  under  such  circumstances;  and  hence  the  greater 
[)art  of  that  night  was  spent  in  vain  endeavours  to  lie- 
stow  comfort  upon  those,  whom  bodily  suffering  ren- 
dered perfectly  dead  to  every  consideration  except  the 
desire  of  ease.  We  were  glad  to  retire  about  two  in 
the  morning,  and  to  snatch  a  few  hours  of  broken  rest 
under  a  shed  hard  by. 

The  dawn  had  not  yet  appeared,  when  the  well  know  n 
sound  of  troops  mustering  upon  their  ground,  awoke 
us.  Wc  took  our  places  as  usual,  with  the  men ;  and 
having  waited  till  there  was  light  enough  to  direct  our 
steps,  once  more  began  our  march.  There  was  noth- 
ing  in  to-day's  operations  at  all  worthy  of  notice.  The 
country  we  had  already  traversed,  and  it  exhibited,  of 
(•0L,rs(!,  an  appearance  exactly  similar  to  that  which  it 

exhibited  before;  whilst  the  absence  of  everv  thin^^  like 
9*  .         c 


i^gM 


■Sk. 


94 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


.■'i 


annoyance  on  the  part  of  the  Americans  rendered  our 
whole  progress  more  dull  and  monotonous  than  would 
have  been  wished.  We  were,  accordingly,  very  well 
pleased  at  beholding  the  houses  in  Nottingham  again 
rise  in  view;  and  our  satisfaction  suffered  no  decrease 
when  informed,  that  here,  as  formerly,  the  night  shouL 
be  passed. 

It  so  happened,  that  Charlton  and  I  fixed  ourselves 
in  the  identical  barn  which  had  sheltered  us  before,  and 
the  reader  will  not  be  surprised  to  learn,  that  that  ap- 
parently unimportant  occurrence  affected  us  more  deep- 
ly,  than  any  which  had  taken  place  during  the  whole 
course  of  the  inroad.     It  was  impossible  to  lie  down 
upon  the  tobacco  without  thinking  of  the  gallant  youth 
who  had  lain  tnere  beside  us,  only  seven  days  ago. 
True,  he  had  been  but  a  short  time  our  comrade ;  we 
had  enjoyed  few  opportunities  of  judging  as  to  his  tem- 
per, disposition,  and  general  character,  and  we,  neither 
of  us,  felt  for  him;  what  we  felt  for  one  another.     But 
the  little  which  we  had  seen  of  him,  had  all  been  fa- 
vourable;  and  his  unaffected  and  noble  behaviour  in  this 
very  barn,  forcibly  occurred  to  us.     I  am  not  ashamed 
to  confess  that  we  shed  some  tears  to  his  memory ;  and 
that  ho  constituted  almost  the  only  subject  of  our  con- 
versation whilst  we  remained  awake. 

After  a  night  of  sound  and  refreshing  sleep,  we  rose 
in  confident  expectation  of  continuing  the  retreat,  and, 
perhaps,  reaching  the  boats  that  day.  But  we  were 
mistaken.  General  Ross  was  satisfied  that  no  pursuit 
would  take  place,  and  if  it  did,  he  was  equally  satisfied 
that  the  pursuers  would  gain  nothing  by  their  exertions. 


''wS^r.;. 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AUERICA. 


95 


Thus  regarding  matters,  he  resolved  to  rest  his  army 
during  the  28th,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  secure  as 
much  of  the  property  of  v/hich  it  had  taken  possession, 
as  was  contained  in  the  barns  and  storehouses  of  Not* 
tingham.  Nor  was  there  any  difficulty  in  effecting  the 
last  of  these  purposes.  The  river  was  now  crowded 
with  gun-boats,  barges,  and  other  small  vessels,  into 
which  the  flour  and  tobacco  were  removed;  and  the 
v/ounded  being  also  disposed  of  in  the  same  way,  there 
remained  neither  impediinent  to  retard  our  future  move, 
ments,  nor  sources  of  anxiety  to  distract  our  plans. 

In  ibis  manner  the  whole  of  the  28th  was  passed ; 
the  soldiers,  for  the  most  part,  keeping  quiet,  whilst  the 
crews  of  the  boats  removed  the  plunder.  It  fell,  how. 
ever,  to  my  lot,  to  be  placed,  towards  evening,  in  charge 
of  one  of  the  outposts.  There  always  is,  and  indeed 
must  be,  some  anxiety  attending  this  duty,  because  the 
very  consciousness  of  responsibility  can  hardly  fail  to 
create  it ;  but  on  no  occasion  have  I  kept  watch  so  peace., 
fully,  and  so  much  at  my  ease,  as  to-night.  Not  so 
much  as  once  was  an  alarm  given.  The  sky  was  clear, 
the  air  mild,  and  the  position  commanding ;  in  a  word, 
all  passed  off  as  if  I  had  been  on  duty  in  some  military 
station  at  home,  instead  of  in  the  heart  of  an  enemy's 
country. 

Having  spent  the  night  thus  cortifortably»  we  were  in 
good  condition  for  the  march  that  was  before  us, — and 
it  was  a  trying  one.  A  push  was  to  be  made  for  St.. 
Benedict's  at  once.  Formerly  we  had  divided  the  dis.. 
tance,  now  we  were  to  compass  it  in  one  day ;  nor  did 
we  fail  in  performing  our  task,  though  many  a  good 


t^ataBHs^aEMMfc  m  i 


06 


A    SUBALTERN    IK    AMERICA. 


V 


soldier  found  himself  sore  pressed  to  keep  his  station. 
It  was  a  journey  of  seven  long  leagues ;  and  came  not 
to  a  close  till  after  darkness  had  set  m.  But  like  the 
march  of  yesterday,  it  was  productive  of  no  interesting 
event,  and  it  led  to  the  very  same  arrangements  and  dis- 
positions in  which  that  had  ended.  We  bivouacked 
under  the  ridge  of  the  hill,  in  the  identical  spots  which 
we  had  occupied  on  the  19th,  and  slept  as  soundly,  and 
as  uninterruptedly,  as  we  had  done  on  the  night  of  our 
landing. 

The  first  campaign  of  General  Ross  in  America,  if 
a  sudden  incursion  like  that  above  described,  deserves 
to    be    so   styled,  was  thus  brought  to  a  conclusion. 
With  a  mere  handful  of  troops,  not  exceeding  four  thou- 
sand  fighting  men  at  the  utmost,  he  penetrated  upwards 
of  sixty  miles  into  an  enemy's  country,  defeated  him  in 
a  pitched  battle,  insulted  his  capital,  and  returned  in 
safety  to  the  shore.     It  remained  now  only  to  reimbark 
the  army,  and  then  his  triumph  would  be  complete. 
Nor  was  the  shadow  of  a  difiiculty  experienced  in  ef- 
fecting this  last,  and  not  least  perilous  enterprise.     In- 
timidated by  his  overthrow,  the  American  leader  dream- 
ed  not  at  any  moment  of  harassing  his  conqueror,  or 
impeding  his  progress;  as  we  ailerwards  learned,  iii- 
deed,  two  full  days  elapsed,  ere  he  ventured  to  ascertain 
that  Washington  was  aban    .ned.     Though,  therefore, 
the  most  judicious  precautions  were  taken,  to  cover  the 
re-shipment  against  danger,  no  opportunity  was  afford- 
ed of  proving  them ;  for  the  troops  betook  themselves 
corps  after  corps  to  the  boats,  and  were  corps  after  corps 
carried  to  their  respective  ships.     The  only  tumult  to 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


97 


U. 


which  they  listened,  was  produced  by  the  shouts  of  the 
sailors,  who  welcomed  them  back  with  reiterated  cheers, 
and  who  received  them  with  as  much  cordiality  as  if 
they  had  been— not  soldiers,  but  brother-seamen. 

I  cannot  pretend  to  pourtray  the  nature  of  my  own 
feelings,  when  I  find  myself  once  more  treading  the 
quarter-deck  of  a  transport,  and  relieved,  as  it  were,  at 
once,  from  all  military  occupation  and  responsibility. 
That  I  enjoyed  the  change  heartily,  for  the  moment, 
cannot  be  denied.     Our  fatigue  had  been  excessive; 
and  the  prospect  of  a  few  days  of  unbroken  rest  was 
certainly  more  pleasing  than  almost  any  other  which 
could  have  been,  under  existing  circumstances,  held  out 
to  me.     Yet  there  was  a  consciousness  went  along  with 
It,  that  perfect  repose  is  not  a  state  of  existence  for 
which  a  soldier  is  adapted,  whilst  the  suddenness  of  the 
change  was  of  itself  sufficient  to  take  away  much  of 
what  would  have  been  otherwise  highly  agreeable  in  it. 
It  was  not  now  with  us,  as  it  is  with  troop?  who  at  the 
close  of  a  serious  campaign  retire  into  winter-quarters. 
In  the  latter  case,  men  are  gradually  prepared  for  it;  a 
series  of  bad  weather,  for  the  most  part,  keeps  them  in- 
active in  the  field,  before  they  quit  it.     At  present,  we 
were  hurried,  in  the  very  middle  of  summer,  from  the 
scene  of  a  brisk,  if  not  of  an  important  war,  and  placed, 
not  in  a  position  still  liable  to  be  assailed,  and  so  calcu- 
lated  to  keep  us  in  remembrance  of  our  uses,— but  on 
board  of  ship,  where  o:ir  time  could  alone  be  occupied 
in  eating,  drinking,  sleeping,  playing  chess,  and  walk- 
ing  from  one  end  of  a  plank  to  the  other.    I  have  said, 
that  at  the  instant  we  certainly  did  enjoy  the  prospect 


98 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


which  was  before  us;  but  the  first  day  of  our  re-eni- 
barkation  passed  not  away  without  occasioning  somo 
alteration  in  our  sentiments,  and  long  before  sun-set  on 
the  second,  we  were  again  panting  for  employment. 
So  perfectly  inconsistent  is  the  human  mind  with  itself, 
as  often  as  the  temperament  of  tho  body,  or  the  state 
oi'  the  animal  spirits,  may  chance  to  undergo  a  change. 


of  our  re-eni. 
:asioning  some 
fore  sun-set  on 
r  employment, 
lincl  with  itself, 
ly,  or  the  state 
ergo  a  change. 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


09 


CHAPTER   IX. 


ARRIVAL  IN  THE  POTOMAC. 


I 


Little  occurred  worthy  of  particular  notice,  from 
liic  morning  of  the  first  till  the  evening  of  the  eleventh 
ofSeptembcr.     Duringthe  first  five  days  of  the  month, 
fhe  fleet  remained  stationary;  those  at  the  head  of  af- 
lairs  being  occupied  in  preparing  their  dispatches,  whilst 
I  and  my  companions  killed  time,  by  having  recourse 
to  as  many  expedients  as  our  situation  enabled  us  to 
adopt.     We  walked  the  deck ;  we  read  the  Cew  volumes 
tliat  were  within  our  reach,  till  we  had  almost  learned 
them  by  heart;— we  bathed  in  the  river,  rowed  about 
from  ship  to  ship,  and  occasionally  ventured  to  put  foot 
"pon  its  banks,  and  even  to  penetra;    a  little  way  be- 
yond them.     Our  sportsmen,  moreover,  myself  among 
fhe  number,  brought  their  guns  and  fishing-tackle  into 
requisition;  with  both  of  which  they  succeeded  in  ob- 
taming     considerable     amusement.     The     Patuxent 
abounded  with  fish,~we  took  in  our  nets,  not  unfre- 
quently,  as  many  as  five  or  six  dozen  of  different  kinds 
in  a  morning;  and  the  woods  proving  to  be  full  of  par- 
fridges,  quails,  and  hares,  and  above  all,  of  wild  tur- 


• .  * . . « 


... 


11 


■J 


«  « 


^P"IB 


100 


A   SUBALTEHN    IN   AMERICA. 


••     ' 


keys,  there  was  no  lack  of  game  to  reward  our  labours 
on  shore.  Two  of  the  latter  I  was  one  day  fortunate 
enough  to  kill,  and  they  proved  a  very  acceptable  ad- 
dition to  our  mess. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  wounded  were  divided  into  three 
classes,  according  to  the  nature  and  severity  of  their 
hurts.  Such  as,  like  myself,  had  received  mere  scratch- 
es, being  placed  upon  the  list  of  convalescents,  were  re- 
garded as  fit  for  duty,  and  left  in  their  respective  trans- 
ports. Such  as  had  been  more  severely,  and  yet  not 
very  seriously  injured,  were  removed  to  the  Majestic, 
for  the  purpose  of  being  carried  to  Halifax ;  whilst  the 
dangerously  wounded  men,  whose  ultimate  recovery,  if 
they  recovered  at  all,  promised  not  to  occur  for  many 
months  to  come,  were  lodged  on  board  of  the  Iphigenia, 
already  appointed  to  bear  the  news  of  our  victory  to 
England.  Every  exertion  was,  moreover,  made,  to  re- 
store to  the  little  army  that  perfect  discipline  and  order, 
which  the  progress  of  a  dashing  campaign  had  unavoid- 
ably weakened.  His  own  knapsack,  for  example,  was, 
as  far  as  could  bo,  returned  to  each  of  the  men,  and  the 
necessaries  of  as  many  as  had  suflercd  a  loss  in  the  late 
operations,  were  made  good.  The  clothing,  accoutre- 
ments, and  arms  of  all  were  carefully  cleaned  and  re- 
paired ;  in  a  word,  every  advantage  was  taken  of  tho 
breathing  time,  to  place,  as  perfectly  as  circumstances 
would  allow,  the  armament  in  a  state  of  renewed  effi- 
ciency. 

Besides  these  more  important  transactions,  other  little 
affairs  occurred,  which  again  brought  our  finer  feelings 
somewhat  forcibly  into  play.     The  effects  of  our  de- 


■»"• 


•d  our  labours 
day  fortunate 
icccptable  ad- 

ided  into  three 
i^erity  of  their 
mere  scratch- 
;ents,  were  re- 
jpective  trans- 
,  and  yet  not 
the  Majestic, 
IX ;  whilst  the 
,te  recovery,  if 
^cur  for  many 
the  Iphigenia, 
our  victory  to 
r,  made,  to  re- 
line  and  order, 
a  had  unavoid- 
example,  was, 
3  men,  and  the 
loss  in  the  late 
ling,  accoutre- 
2aned  and  re- 
taken of  the 
circumstances 
'  renewed  effi- 

5ns,  other  little 
r  finer  feelings 
cts  of  our  de- 


A   SimAlTSBir   IK   AMBXICA. 


101 


ceased  comrades  were  put  up  to  sale  f  and  subwinptioiw 
arere  entered  inio  for  one  or  two  widows,  who  had  really 
loved  their  husbands,  and  being  deprived  of  them,  de- 
sired to  return  home.    Soldiers,  of  aU  ranks,  are,  dur- 
mg  a  state  of  warfare,  made  up  of  singularly  ^acotd- 
ant  materials.     Wo  all,  for  example,  felt  sincerely  for 
these  poor  creatures,  and  readUy  contributed  our  respec- 
five  mites,  to  render  their  homeward  passage  as  com- 
fortable  as  their  frame  of  mind  would  allow.     There 
was  not  a  man  amongst  us,  too,  who  lamented  not  the 
fall  of  the  individual,  for  part  of  whose  wardrobe  he 
was  bidding.     Yet  a  passing  observer  would  have 
scarcely  discovered  this;  so  Utile  in  accordance  with 
the  sentiments  of  our  hearts,  were  our  outward  manner 
and  c-.nversation.    Let  me  not,  however,  be  misundw* 
stood.    Nothing  was  said  or  done  on  these  occasions 
calculated  to  give  pain  to  the  nearest  relative  of  the  de- 
ceased, had  he  stood  byj  on  the  contrary,  every  man 
felt  that  the  drama  in  which  he  now  took  apart, might, 
before  long,  be  represented  again  in  consequence  of  hi^/ 
own  dissolution;  and  with  this  feeling  upon  his  roin^ 
it  was  not  possible  for  him  to  act  otherwise  than,  he 
should  desire  his  comrades  to  act,  were  that  event  to 
take  place  on  the  morrow. 

Matters  continued  thustill  an  early  hour  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  dth,  when  a  signal  was  made  to  weigh  an- 
chor; the  whole  fleet  got  under  sail,  and,  guided  by  a^i 
gentle  breeze  in  their  sterns,  stood  majestically  towards 
the  bay.  I  do  not  know  that  I  ever  beheld  a  more  strik- 
ing  marine  spectacle  than  this  general  movement  jwe- 
■ented.    At  aK.<jderate  computation,  there  could  not  be 


4    If 


■■*''WS*BSB89B«»!**»tS»fc 


fgf,ig00m^mmm  I  !  m** »  '' 


mm 


VMPMP 


<t% 


lOS 


A   RVBALTBRN    IN    AMERICA* 


fewer  than  seventy  sail  of  vessols,  of  all  classes  and 
sizes,  in  the  ilect;  they  lay  within  a  roadstead,  which 
exceeded  not  a  gunshot  from  one  extremity  to  the  other; 
and  hfting  their  anchors,  and  shaking  out  their  canvass, 
air  at  the  same  moment,  they  gave  to  the  river  an  ap- 
j>earancc  of  life  land  bustle,  such  as  it  has  probably  ne- 
ver  exhibited  before,  and  will  not  speedily  exhibit  again. 
Nor  wpa  it  by  looiting  to  the  ships  alone  that  we  idlers 
found  an  ample  fund  of  interest  and  amusement.  The 
sun  began,  before  long,  to  shine  brightly  upon  the  banks, 
and  a  shifting  panorama  of  the  mcst  exquisite  beauty 
presented  itself,  piecemeal,  as  it  were,  to  our  observa- 
tion. I  have  hitherto  abstained  from  sayincr  anything 
of  the  extreme  loveliness  of  this  district, — partly  be- 
cause'its  i-Wt  striking  features  have  been  described  al- 
ready, and  partly  because  I  am  quite  conscious  that  no 
words  'could  do  it  justice.  But  it  may  be  permitted  me 
to  observe,  that  though  I  have  visited  many  countries, 
and  beheld  almost  every  variety  of  national  scenery,  i 
have  never  beheld  any  more  picturesque  than  that  which 
the  banks  of  the  Patuxent  displayed.  There  was  no- 
thing grand,  it  is  true; — no  rocks,  no  mountains,  no 
castles,  convents,  or  even  lordly  seats,  were  in  view ; 
but  if  sloping  downs,  studded  with  the  modest  houses 
of  settlers,  intersected  by  luxuriant  corn  fields,  and 
closed  in  by  forests,  dark  as  night,  and  perfectly  track- 
less, entitle  the  banks  of  a  river  to  the  appellation  of 
beautiful,  the  appellation  may  surely  be  bestowed  here. 
It  was  a  scene  of  peace,  and  perhaps  of  humility ;  but 
it  was  probably  not  the  less  attractive  c^.  that  account, 
in  the  eyes  of  one,  whose  business  was  war. 


* 


I.. 


MMRWI 


msamsmsss^ 


K^ 


A   ST7BAI.TRBIT    IN    AMBBICA. 


lOfl 


classes  and 
Istead,  which 
to  the  other ; 
heir  canvass, 
I  river  an  ap- 
probably  ne- 
:>xhibit  again, 
hat  we  idlers 
cmcnt.  The 
on  the  banks, 
[uisite  beauty- 
cur  observa- 
ina  anything 
, — partly  be- 
described  al- 
jcious  that  no 
permitted  mo 
:ny  countries, 
ml  scenery,  I 
an  that  which 
lere  was  no- 
nountains,  no 
ere  in  view; 
lodest  houses 
n  fields,  and 
U'fectly  track- 
ippellation  of 
estowed  here, 
[lumility;  but 
that  account, 
I'ar. 


Wo  -cached  tho  bay  a  little  after  noon,  and  were  met 
by  the  Tonnant,  which  had  sailed  a  day  or  two  before, 
and  seemed  now  to  b^  returning.     Whither  we  were 
going,  or  what  the  service  on  which  w  were  about  to 
Ije  employed,  no  one  appeared  to  know;  but  a  feolhig 
ol'  surprise  became  general  amongst  us,  when,  instead 
of  taking  advantage  of  a  wind  which  blew  directly  up 
the  Chesapeake,  a  signal  was  hung  out  for  all  ships  to 
oast  anchor.     We  had  flattered  ourselves  that,  now  we 
had  fairly  Iwgun  our  observations,  not  an .  hour  would 
l)c  wasted  in  carrying  them  on.     Baltimore,  Annapolis, 
and  other  towns,  were  all  within  our  reach ;  we  confi- 
dently anticipated  that  each  would,  in  its  turn,  receive 
a  visit.     But  whatever  our  wishes  might  be,  there  re- 
mained but  one  course  for  us  to  follow.     Wo  obeyed 
the  signal,  and  anchored  immediately. 

No  great  while  elapsed,  however,  before  wo  became 
satisfied  that  every  thing  had  been  done  for  the  best. 
As  soon  as  ho  had  got  his  fleet  well  about  him,  tho  Ad- 
miral  began  to  held  a  correspondence  with  the  other 
ships  of  war,  which,  as  wo  chanced  to  be  in  possession 
of  a  signal-book,  we  were  enabled  to  decipher.  Each 
vessel  vvas  required  to  send  in  a  return  of  iho  number 
of  seamen,  independently  of  marines,  which  it  could  cTf- 
ford  to  land  with  small  arms ;  and  it  was  farther  order- 
ed,  that  no  time  should  be  lost  in  drilling  them  to  tho 
use  of  their  weapon.  There  was  something  exceeding, 
ly  cheering  in  such  a  communication.  Not  only  were 
we  quite  satisfied  that  Jack,  however  awkward  he  might 
be  upon  parade,  would  prove,  in  the  hour  of  a  trial,  a 
most  efficient  ijlly;  but  we  concluded,  from  the  anxiety 


■«!l.- 


11 


niXTil^ii.ii.jc^., 


-^yHjJBlll^OH" 


f' 


■^ 


104 


▲  SVB^LTEBK   IN   AKBBICA. 


displayed  to  increase  the  land  force  to  the  utmost,  that 
some  momentous  scheme  was  in  agitation.  The  rest 
of  the  day  was  accordingly  spent  in  far  better  humour 
than  had  marked  the  passage  of  some  days  preceding, 
and  we  retired  to  rest,  in  the  full  expectation,  that  to- 
morrow, or  at  farthest,  the  next  day,  would  see  us  once 
more  employed  in  the  field. 

Our  hopes  in  this  respect  suffered  no  diminution, 
when,  on  ascending  the  deck  on  the  following  morning, 
we  found  that  the  fleet  was  again  under  iveigh,  and 
moving  towards  the  Potomac.  The  last  circumstance, 
indeed,  did  puzzle  us  a  little.  What  could  be  done 
there?  Alexandria  had  been  already  visited  by  Captain 
Gordon;  nor  was  there  any  other  place  of  note  along 
its  course.  Nevertheless,  we  took  it  for  granted,  that 
there  must  be  some  object  ii.  view,  and,  provided  only 
they  saw  fit  to  bring  us  into  play,  we  cared  but  little 
whither  the  heads  of  the  expedition  should  lead  us.  In 
all  this,  however,  we  were  doomed  to  endure  the  misery 
of  hope  deferred.  Having  stemmed  the  current  during 
the  whole  of  that  day,  and  till  dusk  on  the  day  follow- 
ing, the  fleet  once  more  cast  anchor ;  and  we,  as  a  mat- 
ter  of  coui'se,  felt  ourselves  once  more  unable  to  guess 
for  what  purpose  these  repeated  delays  were  permitted. 

I  well  recollect,  that  on  the  night  of  the  8th  of  Sep- 
tember, the  Potomac  was  visited  by  one  of  those  sub- 
lime thunder  storms,  of  which  I  have  already  spoken 
as  occurring  so  frequently  in  this  hemisphere.  During 
the  whole  of  the  day,  there  had  been  an  oppressive 
closeness  in  the  atmosphere;  and  as  the  sun  drew  to- 
wards his  setting,  many  masses  of  clouds  began  to  rise 


Wiaikm- 


^ffiryjjiiMiUP 


A    SUBALTEHN    IN    AMERICA. 


105 


at  different  points  in  the  horizon.  These  gradually  in- 
creased in  quantity  and  blackness,  till  at  last  the  whole 
face  of  the  sky  became  over-spread  with  them.  The 
thunder  and  lightning  followed;  thunder,  which  in  the 
stillness  of  night  made  the  far-off  forests  re-echo ;  and 
lightning,  which  o,t  every  flash  rendered  the  minutest 
object  distinctly  visible,  both  throughout  the  fleet  and  on 
the  shore.  Nor  was  rain  long  wanting;  it  came  down, 
as  it  generally  does  under  such  circumstances,  in  tor- 
rents; and  as  there  was  no  finding  shelter  against  it 
anywhere,  except  in  the  cabin,  I  was  reluctantly  com- 
pelled to  abandon  the  scat  which  1  had  taken  on  one  of 
the  guns  for  the  purpose  of  watching  the  storm,  and  re- 
tire belov/.  • 

An  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  9th  saw  us 
again  under  weigh,  and  stemming  the  current  at  a  slow' 
and  majestic  rate;  but  our  progress  was  very  limited. 
The  Tonnant,  shooting  a-head,  pushed  on  by  herself; 
whilst  the  remainder  of  the  ships,  in  defiance  of  as  fair 
a  wind  as  ever  blew,  beat  backwards  and  forwards,  from 
one  side  of  the  river  to  the  other.  What  was  to  k; 
ilone,  we  could  not  surmise.  That  a  landing  would 
tuke  place  before  long,  every  thing  about  us  testified, 
but  whether  the  port  of  debarkation  had  as  yet  been 
determined  upon,  seemed  extremely  problematical. 
Thus  was  it  with  us  during  the  whole  of  the  morninc ; 
hour  after  hour  passed  away  in  anxious  suspense;  till 
at  last,  when  the  sun  was  again  approaching  the  west, 
our  doubts  and  anxiety  were  put  an  end  to.  The  Ton- 
nant,  of  which  we  had  long  lost  sight,  once  more  made 
her  appearance ;  all  her  canvass  was  set,  and  she  wa.s 
10* 


I 


i'S 


;« 


'  ^^1,  ."'-■'wteb... 


^f 


"ill  j«i»yiWiiliW-')'<u  'I imin'ijWWWi 


:¥ 


106 


A  SUBALTaBir  IN   AHEBXOA. 


^ 


l'V 


followed  by  a  numerous  fleet  of  small  craft,  each  of 
which  bore  an  English  ensign  at  its  mast-head,  with  an 
American  flag  under.  The  vessels  thus  distinguished 
were  prizes ;  they  soon  joined  us,  and  the  whole  squad- 
ron putting  about,  bore  down  in  a  body  towards  the  bay. 
Finally,  a  signal  was  thrown  out  from  the  Admiral's 
ship,  which  directed  us  to  steer  towards  the  Patap3CO  ; 
and  it  became  immediately  known,  among  all  ranks, 
that  the  capture  of  Baltimore  would  be  attempted. 

Now  men's  minds  became  to  a  certain  degree  tran- 
quil ;  curiosity  was  set  at  rest ;  and  it  remained  for  us 
only  to  make  such  preparations  as  each  might  think  ne- 
cessary for  taking  the  field.  Nor  were  we  tardy  in  any- 
thing about  that  matter,  inasmuch  as  but  little  time 
seemed  likely  to  be  granted  for  the  purpose ;  for,  as  if 
Heaven  had  favoured  our  designs,  the  fleet  scarcely 
reached  the  bay,  when  the  wind,  shifting  a  few  points, 
blew  directly  towards  the  place  of  landing ,-  and  we 
stood  on  our  course  with  a  rapidity  vv'hich  promised  to 
bring  us,  within  a  few  hours,  to  the  end  of  our  voyage. 
This  was,  in  itself,  sufficiently  agreeable;  but  there  were 
other  circumstances  attending  the  passage,  which  gave 
to  it  a  more  than  ordinary  degree  of  interest.  The 
breeze  coming  upon  the  larboard  side,  enabled  us  to 
stand  in  close  to  the  shores  of  Maryland ;  and  seldom 
have  I  looked  upon  a  more  striking  spectacle  than  these 
shores  presented. 

It  is  well  known  that  Maryland  happens  to  be  one  of 
the  most  thickly  inhabited  and  civilized  States  in  the 
Union.  Besides  its  two  great  cities  of  Anapolis  and 
Baltimore,  it  can  boast  of  several  towns  and  villages  of 


'A 


A    SOBALTEBN   IN   AMEmCA. 


107 


different  sizes;  while  a  countless  number  of  hamlets, 
seats,  and  solitary  farm-houses,  are  scattered  in  every 
direction  over  its  extent.     Of  these  very  many,  with 
Anapolis  among  the  number,  have  been  planted  close  to 
the  water's  edge;  partly,  perhaps,  on  account  of  the 
additional  salubrity  which  the  sea-breezes  bring,  and 
partly  because  the  situation  accorded  well  with  the  lead- 
ing habits  of  the  people.     But  there  were  other  erec- 
tions, besides  towns  and  villages,  which  attracted  our 
attention.     Numerous  watch-towers,  forls,  signal  sta- 
tions, and  places  of  arms,  occupied  the  high  grounds; 
whilst,  nearer  the  beach,  guard  rooms  for  the  accom- 
modation of  cavalry  patrols,  open  batteries  for  the  cover 
of  guns,  with  all  the  other  edifices  which  a  people  in- 
vaded are  apt  to  throw  up,  extended,  in  a  regular  chain, 
from  one  extremity  of  the  State  to  the  other.     Of  these 
we  were  enabled,  by  keeping  close  in  shore,  to  obtain 
a  distinct  view.     We  saw  horsemen  mount  at  every 
station,  as  we  approached  it,  and  gallop  with  all  haste 
towards  the  interior-     Beacon  after  beacon  burst  into  a 
blaze;  guns  were  fired  from  every  tower;  and  telegra- 
phic communication  carried  on  M'ithout  intermission. 
Then,  again,  as  we  drew  near  to  a  town  or  village, 
every  house  was  seen  to  pour  forth  its  inhabitants ;  while 
carts,  waggons,  and  carriages  of  all  descriptions  has- 
tened off,  loaded,  as  we  could  distinctly  perceive,  with 
people  and  effects.     In  Anapolis,  in  particular,  confu- 
sion and  alarm  appeared  to  prevail  to  an  extraordinary 
excess.     Being  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  exposed, 
in  a  remarkable  degree,  to  insult,  its  inmates  doubtless 
anticipated  nothing  else  than  a  hostile  visitation ;  and 


I 


I 


I 


I 


i> 


lod 


▲  SUBALTKBN   IN   AMUrSICA. 


truly,  if  to  destroy  a  neat,  clean  town,  surrounded  oil 
all  sides  by  elegant  villas,  had  been  our  object,  no  task 
could  have  been  more  easily  performed.  We  passed  it 
by,  however,  unharmed ;  not,  perhaps,  quite  satisfied 
that  so  fine  a  prize  should  be  permitted  to  escape,  but 
hugging  ourselves  in  the  idea  that  another,  and  no  less 
valuable  one,  was  before  us. 

Whilst  the  transports  and  larger  vessels  of  war  swept 
up  the  Chesapeake  in  a  body,  the  Sca-Horse  frigate, 
with  one  or  two  lighter  ships,  dashed  forward  to  ascer- 
tain tlie  course  or  channel  of  the  river.  This  measure 
was  resorted  to,  because,  though  the  Patapsco  was 
known  not  to  excel  in  depth,  it  was  deemed  highly  de- 
sirable that  some  ^jart  of  the  navy  should,  at  all  events, 
co-operate  with  the  troops  in  the  reduction  of  Baltimore. 
Captain  Gordon  was  accordingly  directed,  not  only  to 
take  soundings  with  all  accurac)',  but  clapping  a  press 
of  canvass  upon  his  ship,  to  drive  her,  in  case  of  any 
sudden  obstruction,  through  the  mud;  and  to  break,  at 
ail  hazards,  such  booms,  or  other  impediments,  as  might 
be  laid  a,cross  the  channel.  That  gallant  ofiiccr  failed 
not  to  execute  his  orders  as  far  as  it  was  possible  to 
obey  them.  He  actually  sunk  his  frigate's  keel  some 
feet  in  the  slime,  and  tore  through  banks,  by  which  the 
progress  of  almost  any  other  individual  would  have 
been  arrested, — but  all  would  not  do.  The  frigate  stuck 
fast  in  the  end ;  and  it  was  only  by  lightening  her  of 
her  main-deck  guns,  and  most  of  her  stores,  that  he 
succeeded  in  bringing  her  off. 

The  day  was  drawing  rapidly  to  a  close,  when  the 
Sea-Horse,  which  lay  at  anchor  off  a  sharp  promontory 


'0f^        - 


ii-aawii 


m»mi» 


■■■» 


ttm 


MH»Wi  1 


.%. 


A   SUBALTCBN   IK   AUBRICA. 


100 


#  I 


htening  her  of 
stores,  that  he 


ahead,  gave  notice  that  it  would  be  necessary  for  us  to 
bring  up.     We  obeyed,  and  came  to  our  moorings  just 
where  the  Patapsco  falls  into  the  bay;  by  which,  in- 
deed,  on  one  side,  and  a  sort  of  creek,  or  inlet  of  the 
sea,  on  the  other,  the  promontory  in  question  was  form- 
ed.    It  was  a  beautiful  evening.     The  sun  went  down 
in  softened  majesty,  tinging  the  whole  surface  of  the 
waters  with  his  departing  glory.     The  wind,  falling 
with  the  sea,  sunk  into  a  perfect  calm ;  and  the  waves, 
which  had  never  been  boisterous,  became  gradually 
more  and  more  quiet,  till  the  Chesapeake  presented  at 
last  the  appearance  of  a  placid  lake.     The  reader  must, 
doubtless,  be  aware,  that  in  these  regions  the  night  ia 
but  of  short  duration.     The  sun  left  us  to-night  with  its 
usual  abruptness,  but  its  last  feeble  rays  had  not  yet 
been  extinguished,  when  a  bright  ftill  moon  arose.     By 
her  light,  not  the  shipping  alone,  but  the  beach,  the  green 
fields  beyond  it,  and  the  hoary  forests  in  the  back- 
ground, became  again  distinctly  visible.     Another  wri- 
ter has  spoken  in  terms  of  rapture  of  the  effect  of  that 
moonlight;  nor  could  I  pursue  the  subject  withwtquot- 
ing  hif?  very  words;  but  this  I  must  say,  that  at  no  mo- 
men*  in  my  life  have  I  felt  the  influence  of  a  night- 
scene  more  forcibly  than  I  felt  it  then. 

But  no  great  while  was  granted  for  such  indulgences. 
Orders  had  already  been  issued  to  prepare  the  troops 
for  immediate  disembarkation,  and  these  it  was  the  duty 
of  every  officer  to  exert  himself  in  carrying  into  effect. 
Like  my  comrades,  I  accordingly  devoted  the  greater 
portion  of  my  waking  hours  to  the  inspection  of  arms, 
the  arrangement  of  necessaries,  and  the  handing  out 


f 

i 

I 

i 

♦ 


1^ 


'  *       i 


110' 


▲   snBALTEltN   IN   AMERIOA. 


1    i 


I 


of  accoutrements.  On  the  present  occasion,  as  the  dis- 
tance between  Baltimore  and  the  beach  could,  it  was 
calcolated,  be  traversed  in  twelve  hours,  the  men  were 
not  encumbered  as  they  had  been  encumbered  during 
the  :nroad  upon  Washington,  with  their  full  quantity  of 
baggage.  Three  days'  provisions  were,  indeed,  put  up 
in  their  '^aversacksj  but  as  far  as  clothing  is  concerned, 
a  knapsack,  containing  a  spare  shirt,  with  a  blanket 
strapped  over  it,  constituted  the  whole  load  that  each 
was  required  to  carry.  In  one  respect,  however,  the 
burden  was  increased  : — some  inconvenience  having 
been  formerly  experienced  in  bringing  up  ammunition, 
the  stjre  of  powder  and  ball  committed  to  our  charge 
was,  on  ihe  pres.eut  occasion,  greater  than  usual.  A 
soldier's  pouch,  as  any  military  man  knows,  is  made  to 
contain  sixty  rounds  of  cartridges ;  to-night,  twenty  ad- 
ditional rounds,  carefully  wrapped  up  in  stout  paper, 
were  assigned  to  each  of  the  privates. 

This  done,  all,  both  officers  and  men,  addressed  them- 
selves to  repose.  We  lay  down,  some  in  the  bed-places, 
others  upon  the  deck,  clothed  and  accoutred  for  service ; 
and  in  a  shorter  space  of  time  than  might  have  been 
expected,  the  majority  were  fast  asleep ;  but  I  know  not 
whence  it  came,  I  could  not  follow  their  example.  It 
was  in  vain  that  I  had  recourse  to  the  expedients  cus- 
tomary in  such  cases, — closing  my  eyes,  and  counting 
hundreds  and  thousands,  and  tens  of  thousands.  Sleep 
obstinately  refused  to  come  upon  me ;  till  wearied  at  last 
with  the  fruitless  effort,  I  rose  and  ascended  the  deck. 
The  night  was  as  clear  and  balmy  as  ever ;  a  heavy 
dew,  indeed,  fell,  but  its  moisture,  so  far  from  being  dis- 


-!% 


termmmt^  'mWW  a  '"Iw 


iifci  V  ^ 


A   SVBALTEBN    IN   AMERICA. 


Ill 


agreeable,  served  to  refresh  both  Jiving  and  dead  sub- 
stances,  after  the  excessive  heat  of  the  day.     There 
was  not  a  sound  to  be  heard,  except  the  ripple  of  the 
water  against  the  ship's  side,  the  cry  of  sentinels  ex. 
claiming,  as  every  half  hour  came  round.    «  All's  well !" 
and  the  heavy  breathing  of  those  who  preferred  the  cool 
deck  to  the  suffocating  atmosphere  of  the  cabin.     It 
was,  take  it  all  in  all,  as  striking  a  night-scene  as  I  re- 
collect at  any  time  to  have  witnessed.     What  my  own 
feelings  were,  however,  I  cannot  pretend  to  state.     That 
I  looked  forward  to  the  morrow  without  something  like 
uneasiness,  it  would  be  the  height  of  folly  to  affirm ;  no 
man  can  believe  himself  to  stand  on  the  brink,  as  it 
were,  of  eternity,  without  uneasiness;  yet  were  all  the 
anticipations  of  what  that  morrow  might  bring  forth, 
inadequate  to  repress  a  consciousness  of  exquisite  en- 
joyment, to  which  the  sights  and  sounds  about  me  gave 
birth.     I  walked  the  deck  for  some  hours  in  a  state 
bordering  upon  enthusiasm ;— nor  did  I  quit  it,  till  the 
bells  of  the  different  ships  striking  eight,  warned  me 
that  midnight  was  passed.  * 


* 


*■■;• 
t 


I 


i\ 


il 


% 


m  ni  A*«K«A» 


Ultt 


CHAPTER  X. 


»I8BMBA^AT10N  IN  MAKYlANO ^MAECH  UPON  BALTI- 

MOKE. ^AND  DEATH  OF  GENEKAI.  BOSS. 

The  moon  had  set^^and  there  was  no  light  in  the  sky, 
excepi  that  which  a  rnuWtude  of  brilUant  stars  afFcrded, 
when  a  general  stir  throaghout  the  fleet  gave  nt^ce  that 
the  rabment  of  disembarkation  was  at  hand.    The  ^1- 
dier^  rousing  from  their  sleep,  began  to  assemble  tipon 
the  decks  in  the  order  in  which  it  had  been  previously 
agreed  that  they  should  step  into  the  boats ;  the  seamen, 
^applying  seduldusly  to  theif  tasks,  hdisted  out  bar^^, 
launches,  gigs,  &c.  with  all  dispatch;  whilst  the  few 
stores  deemed  essential  to  the  operations  of  the  cam- 
paign were  so  arranged,  as  to  be  transported  at  onCe 
^  -om  the  shipping  to  tHe  beach-    All,  however,  was 
Jone  in  profound  silence.     No   conversation  passed 
Trom  rank  to  rank,  and  even  the  cries  of  the  sailors 
were  repressed;  lest  being  overheard  by  the  parties 
which,  \/e  could  not  doubt,  were  watching  us  from  the 
shore,  an  alarm  m^ht  be  communicated,  and  the  people 
of  Baltimore  apprised  of  their  danger* 
iPi^iM  these  things  were  doing  in  the  other  vessels, 


mtf 


A   SUBALTERN    Ilf    AMEBICA. 


113 


UPON  BALTI- 
lOSS' 

rt  in  the  sky, 
arsaffcrded, 
e  notice  that 
J.  The  ^1- 
semble  upon 
1  previoui^y 

the  seamen, 
1  out  barg^«, 
fiilstthe  few 

of  thecam- 
uted  at  orate 
iowever,  was 
ation  passed 
f  the  sailors 
'  the  parties 
;  us  from  the 
ndthepeopto 

}ther  vessels, 


B.  light  gun-brig,  which  had  weighed  anchor  for  the  pur- 
pose about  an  hour  before,  ran  in  with  the  tide ;  and 
took  her  station,  broad-side  on,  within  cable's  length  of 
the  beach.  There  she  lay  ready,  in  case  of  need,  to 
dweep  the  shore  with  her  fire.  Every  gun  was  loaded 
to  the  muzzle  with  grape  and  cannon  shot.  But  the 
event  proved  that  no  opposition  to  the  landing  was  con- 
templated. The  leading  boat  touched  the  strand  in 
safety ;  the  soldiers  contained  in  it  sprang  up  the  slope, 
and  spreading  themselves  at  extended  order  along  the 
ridge,  lay  down.  Others  quickly  followed,  and  in  half 
an  hour  after  the  first  movement  had  been  made,  a  thou- 
sand men  were  in  line,  to  cover  the  arrival  of  their  com- 
rades. All  this  took  place  before  the  first  blush  of 
(lawn  had  shown  itself  in  the  eastern  horizon.  Nor 
was  the  remainder  of  the  army  tardy  in  reaching  its 
destination.  Exerting  themselves  to  the  utmost,  our 
gallant  tars,  without  any  intermission  of  labour  for  se- 
veral hours,  pulled  backwards  and  forwards,  and  by 
seven  o'clock,  infantry,  artillery,  baggage,  and  horses, 
appeared  to  be  all  on  shore. 

It  so  happened,  that  the  transport  in  which  I  was  em- 
barked lay  very  near  the  land,  by  which  means  our  di- 
vision made  good  its  debarkation  among  the  first ;  and 
I  shall  not  readily  forget  the  nature  of  the  scene  which 
was  thus  brought  before  me.  When  we  gained  the 
shore,  only  a  single  small  boat,  containing  about  twenty 
soldiers,  had  reached  it.  We  leaped  from  the  bow,  one 
after  another,  and  collecting  close  to  the  water's  edge, 
proceeded,  at  a  quick  pace,  to  ascend  a  sloping  sand- 
bank ;  at  the  summit  of  which  we  found  our  compan* 
11 


m 

,.  if 

\ 

i 


t 


ii 


a     i%\ 


I 


!.a 


114 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


ions.  The  officer  in  command  of  that  small  party  alono 
stood  upright ;  the  men  weru  flat  upon  their  bellies ;  but 
at  our  suggestion  they  rose,  and  advancing  about  forty 
yards  farther  inland,  we  all  lay  down  again.  Let  the 
reader  recollect,  that  we  knew  nothing  of  the  prepara- 
tions  which  had  been  made  for  our  reception :  for  aught 
we  could  tell,  a  whole  army  might  be  in  position  within 
a  stone's  throw  of  our  ground;  and  he  will  not  be  sur- 
prised to  learn,  that  we  held  our  very  breath,  in  anxious 
expectation  of  what  the  next  instant  might  bring  forth. 
Yet  was  the  excitation  very  far  from  being  disagreeable. 
True,  we  might  be  called  upon  to  sustain  the  first  shock 
of  a  force  a  great  deal  too  numerous  to  be  long  opposed 
with  success ;  but  we  were  aware,  that  succour  would 
not  be  slow  of  arriving ;  and  we  could  not  for  a  mo- 
ment ^ubt  as  to  the  final  issue.  Then  there  was  much 
in  our  very  position  and  attitude  in  the  highest  degree 
imposing.  You  could  tell  that  troops  were  in  line  be- 
side you,  only  by  an  occasional  rustle  in  the  long  grass 
among  which  they  couched ;  for  all  kept  close  to  the 
earth,  and  not  a  man  spoke,  even  in  a  whisper,  to  his 
nearest  neighbour. 

As  day  dawned,  however,  it  became  abundant! ;_  ma- 
nifest that  so  much  caution  had  been  quite  unnecessary ; 
not  a  living  creature  was  in  sight,  nor  could  the  small- 
est trace  that  even  a  picquet  had  kept  guard  here,  be 
observed.  Before  us  lay  a  few  open  green  fields,  mea- 
suring,  perhaps,  some  three  hundred  yards  across,  and 
then  their  condition  furnished  proof  enough  that  neither 
infantry  nor  cavalry  had  traversed  them.  The  grass 
waved  in  the  breez^,  undefiled  by  horses'  tread  or  hu- 


A   SUBALTERN    IX   AMERICA. 


115 


1,  in  anxious 


man  tramp ;  no  track  of  foragers  intersected  it ;  and 
even  upon  the  road,  which  ran  a  little  to  our  right,  the 
dust  lay  wholly  undisturbed.  In  these  fields  the  army 
accordingly  mustered.  The  dilTerant  regiments  drew 
up  according  to  their  brigades ;  the  officers  took  their 
stations,  and  the  word  was  given  to  advance.  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  order  in  which  the  column  moved. 

Major  Browne,  the  officer  who  led  the  advance  in  the 
inroad  upon  Washington,  having  been  severely  wound- 
ed  and  left  behind  at  Bladensburg,  General  Ross  saw 
fit  to  dissolve  the  little  corps  altogether.  Whether  this 
arose  from  a  feeling  that  there  was  not,  in  the  army, 
another  man  capable  of  guiding  it  \right,  I  know  not. 
All  that  I  do  know  is,  that  in  Bro  ne  he  reposed  the 
most  unbounded  confidence — that  Browne  fully  deserv- 
ed that  confidence — and  that  if  he  changed  his  plan 
from  the  apprehension  that  there  was  no  fit  successor 
to  him,  his  judgment  was  not  very  erroneous.  When 
I  say  that  this  advance  was  dissolved,  I  mean  not  to  af- 
firm, that  the  army  began  its  march  with  a  front  en- 
tirely uncovered.  Three  companies  were,  as  formerly, 
pushed  forward ;  but  instead  of  forming  a  separate  di- 
vision, placed  permanently  under  the  command  of  a 
distinct  leader,  they  fell,  for  the  moment,  under  the  guid- 
ance of  the  officer  who  chanced  to  be  senior  in  rank 
among  those  attached  to  them.  It  was  to  that  unfor- 
tunate arrangement,  without  doubt,  that  the  country 
owed  the  early  death  of  our  gallant  leader.  After  the 
first  day's  march  towards  Washington,  General  Ross 
gave  himself  little  or  no  concern  about  the  advanced 
guard ;  he  saw  that  the  individual  to  whom  he  had  in» 


\- 


\ 


1  ' 


f* 


116 


A    SUBALTERN    IW   AMERICA. 


trusted  it,  understood  his  business  perfectly;  and  to  him 
the  business  was  entirely  left.  It  was  not  so  now.  Ig- 
norant of  the  talents  of  those  on  whose  sagacity  the 
welfare  of  the  whole  column  so  much  depended,  the 
General  could  not  keep  behind ;  he  would,  in  his  own 
person,  ,«ee  that  things  were  going  on  as  he  wished  them 
to  go  on ;  and  lie  (ell  in  the  very  first  skirmish. 

In  rear  ol'  the  three  companies,  leaving,  however,  a 
sufficient  interval  between,  came  ti.    light  brigade,  now 
under  the  command  of  Major  Jones.     Next  to  thut  corps 
moved  a  brigade  of  seamen,  armed  with  muskets,  and 
amounting  to  nearly  a  thousand  men ;  then  followed  the 
artillery,  of  which  eight  pieces — six  guns,  and  two  how- 
itzers— were  in  the  field ;  and  as  a  sufficient  number  of 
liorses  to  drag  them  had  been  p"ocured,  they  bid  fair  tu 
prove  of  marked  utility  in  the  enterprise.     Immediately 
upon  the  artillery  came  the  second  brigade ;  and  imme- 
diately upon  the  second  brigade  came  the  third.     Of 
the  exact  number  of  combatants  thus  brought  together, 
I  can  liardly  venture  to  offer  an  opinion.     We  had  lost 
at  Bladensburg  about  five  hundred  men  in  all ;  but  of 
these  many  were  already  so  far  convalescent  as  to  take 
the  field  again ;  and  our  reinforcements  from  the  fleet 
were  considerable.    Balancing  the  one  against  the  other, 
therefore,  I  should  be  disposed  to  say,  that  somewhere 
about  five  thousand,  or  five  thousand  five  hundred  men, 
moved  from  the  water's  edge  this  morning. 

It  fell  to  the  lot  of  my  fri  Jtd  nnd  myself,  on  this  pre- 
sent occasion,  to.  form  part  of  the  i^ar.k  patrol.  Having 
cleared  the  open  fields,  we  soon  found  ourselves  in  a 
country  resembling,  in  many  respects,  that  which,  we 


A    SUBALTERN   IN    AMERICA. 


117 


had  traversed  in  our  lute  operations ;  that  is  to  say,  thick 
woods  hemmed  us  in  on  every  side,  and  the  spots  of 
cultivated  soil  were  few  and  of  small  compass.  There 
was,  however,  one  striking  difference  to  be  observed. 
Little  lakes,  or  other  large  ponds,  abounded  here;  they 
were  equally  plentiful  on  both  sides  of  the  way ;  and 
t)eing  in  general  deep  enoug)i  to  hinder  us  from  fording, 
they,  for  the  most  part,  occasioned  us  no  little  trouble, 
and  some  fatigue,  before  wo  succeeded  in  passing  them. 
Small  streams,  likewise,  landing  in  the  heads  of  creeks, 
more  than  once  interrupted  our  progress.  In  a  word, 
the  country  presented  a  thousand  defensible  posts,  even 
to  a  people  so  little  accustomed  as  we  were  to  examine 
a  country  with  the  eye  of  soldiers ;  and  it  surprised  us 
not  a  little  to  find,  that  no  attempt  was  made  to  de- 
fend it. 

We  had  continued  cur  journey  about  an  hour,  when 
arriving  suddenly  at  a  space  of  open  ground,  three 
troopers,  dressed  in  dark-green  uniforms,  were  disco- 
vered. They  occupied  the  summit  of  a  gentle  emi- 
nence, and  appeared  to  be  anxiously  watching  the  move- 
ment of  the  column  along  the  high  road.  Instantly  the 
word  was  passed  to  be  attentive ;  and  instantly  we  be- 
gan to  steal  round  the  height,  keeping  just  within  cover 
of  the  wood,  for  the  purpose  of  surprising  them.  But 
scarlet  is  an  inconvenient  colour,  in  cases  where  con- 
cealment happens  to  be  desirable ; — the  Americans  soon 
discovered  us ;  and  clapping  spurs  to  their  horses,  gal- 
loped off.  Concluding,  of  course,  that  they  must  be 
well  acquainted  with  the  different  roads  which  intersect- 
ed  the  forest,  we  very  naturally  gave  them  up  as  lost, 


118 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


1    W 


%  i 


and  contiriued  our  journey,  with  the  conviciion  in  our 
minds  that  more  work  would  be  cut  out  for  us,  ere  many 
hours  should  pass  by. 

Soon  after  this,  the  bugles  of  the  array  sounded  a 
halt,  and  we,  as  well  as  the  main  body,  prepared  to  obey 
it ;  but  just  as  we  had  fixed  upon  a  convenient  spot  for 
the  purpose,  a  soldier  came  running  up  with  intelligence 
that  the  three  horsemen  were  still  in  the  thicket,  about 
musket-shot  from  our  right.  Taking  with  me  a  dozen 
men,  I  instantly  plunged  into  the  wood;  and  here,  sure 
enough,  they  sat  upon  the  edge  of  one  of  the  lakes, 
their  horses  being  fastened  by  the  bridles  to  a  tree  hard 
by.  My  party  preserved  a  profound  silence,  and  we 
closed  gradually  round  them ;  but  the  crashing  of  the 
boughs  there  was  no  stifling,  and  when  we  reached  the 
spot  they  were  gone.  They  had  leaped  into  a  canoe 
on  the  first  alarm,  and  were  now  paddling,  as  fast  as 
they  could,  to  the  opposite  shore.  There  was  no  time 
to  be  lost.  I  called  out  to  them  to  surrender,  and  by 
way  of  enforcing  the  summons,  commanded  the  whole 
of  my  people  to  level  their  pieces.  The  spectacle  was 
too  alarming  for  raw  recruits  ;  so  they  held  up  a  white 
handkerchief  in  token  of  submission,  and  pulled  back 
again.  Immediately  on  landing,  they  were,  as  may  be 
supposed,  disarmed,  and  then,  with  their  three  beautiful 
chargers,  conducted  to  head-quarters. 

On  coming  in  with  the  prisoners,  we  found  the  army 
halted  near  a  farm-house,  around  wliich  were  several 
cleared  fields,  well  adapted,  in  case  of  need,  for  a  rapid 
military  formation.  The  General  himself,  attended  by 
Admiral  Cockburn,  was  sitting  in  the  midst  of  his  staff 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AHEKICA. 


119 


by  the  way  side,  and  a  few  orderlies  were  leading  their 
horses  backwards  and  forwards.  Of  the  soldiers,  a  few 
had  strayed  from  their  ranks ;  but  blue  jackets  might 
be  seen  in  every  direction,  pursuing  pigs,  fowls,  and 
other  live  stock,  at  full  speed,  and  with  much  apparent 
satisfaction.  Nor  was  it  possible  to  refrain  from  laugh- 
ing at  the  singular  behaviour  of  these  men.  All  the. 
threats,  orders,  and  entreaties,  of  their  officers  were  set 
at  defiance  ;  they  knew  nothing  about  discipline  on  shore, 
and  they  were  not  now  going  to  learn  it.  At  last,  the 
very  endeavour  to  bring  them  back  was  abandoned,  and 
they  continued  to  amuse  themselves,  as  well  as  us,  till 
the  column  again  began  to  move.  Nor  did  any  one 
appear  to  enjoy  the  joke  more  than  General  Ross.  He 
was  laughing  heartily,  as  were  the  Admiral  and  the  rest 
of  the  group,  when  we  appeared;  and  he  with  difficulty 
suppressed  his  mirth,  even  though  the  presence  of  the 
prisoners  drew  his  attention  to  other  graver  matters. 

Having  put  a  few  questions  to  tlie  young  men,  as  to 
the  duty  on  which  they  had  been  themselves  employed, 
General  Ross  proceeded  to  catechise  them  respecting 
the  number  and  position  of  iho  force  appointed  for  the 
defence  of  Baltimore.  Their  answers  were  neither  very 
distinct  nor  very  satisfactory.  They  spoke  of  a  levy 
en  masse — hinted  that  every  male  capable  of  bearing 
arms  was  enrolled — and  calculated  the  strength  of  the 
whol'^,  including  three  thousand  regulars,  at  twenty 
thousand  men.  The  cavalry,  they  said,  consisted  pria- 
cipally  of  volunteer  troops,  to  one  of  which  they  had 
themselves  belonged ;  and  most  of  it,  as  well  as  a  large 
portion  of  the  infantry,  had  met  us  in  the  field  of  Bia- 


120 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


JM     I 


„k&,i 


densburg.  In  artillery,  again,  thoy  affirmed,  that  the 
strength  of  the  America,. ^  was  prodigious ;  upwards  of 
one  hundred  pieces  of  cannon  were  in  battery ;  and 
these  being  manned  by  seamen  from  the  fleet,  would, 
they  observed  to  us,  do  their  duty.  The  General  heard 
all  this  with  a  countenance  which  never  once  varied  in 
its  expression;  and  then  ordering  them  to  the  rear,  in 
spite  of  many  urgent  entreaties  that  he  would  dismiss 
them  on  their  parole,  he  commanded  the  bugle  to  sound, 
and  the  troops  again  stood  to  their  arms. 

Whilst  the  column  was  making  ready  to  prosecute 
Its  more  orderly  advance,  we  stoutly  plunged  once  more 
mto  the  thickets,  and  pressed  on.     For  about  half  an 
hour  we  proceeded  without  the  occurrence  ot"  any  cir- 
cumstance calculated  to  excite  in  us  a  more  than  usual 
degree  of  alacrity.     There  were  the  same  obstacles  of 
brake  and  brier  to  overcome,  and,  from  time  to  time, 
the  same  impediments  of  ponds  and  creeks  to  be  sur. 
mounted;  but  still  no  enemy,  nor  any  trace  of  an  en- 
emy,  could  be  descried.     At  length,  however,  the  face 
of  affairs  underwent  a  change.     A  few  figures  suddenly 
showed  themselves,  stealing  from  tree  to  tree,  and  bus'h 
to  bush ;  they  became  more  and  more  numerous  as  we 
went  on ;  and,  finally,  we  beheld  about  four  or  five  hun- 
dred  riflemen  scattered  through  the  wood,  and  prepared 
to  dispute  with  us  our  farther  progress.    Nor  were  many 
moments  wasted  in  idly  gazing  at  each  other.     Having 
warned  the  column,  by  the  sound  of  our  bugles,  that 
an  enemy  was  in  sight;  we  rushed  forward,  and  the 
forest  echoed  again  to  tlio  report  of  ours  and  the  Ame- 
ricans'  muskets. 


A   SUBALTKRN    IN   AMEHICA. 


121 


There  is  nothing  in  war  more  interesting,  and,  if  it 
be  conducted  with  any  science,  more  entertaining,  than 
a  skirmish  in  the  bosom  of  a  deep  wood.     The  cover 
is  generally  so  abundant,  and  so  excellent  in  kind,  that 
fewer  casualties  take  place,  than  one  unaccustomed  to 
such  affairs  might  expect ;  whilst,  from-  the  very  nature 
of  the  encounter,  your  thoughts  are  never  for  an  instant 
unemployed,  nor  your  body  for  an   instant  at  rest. 
When  advancing,  you  dart  from  tree  to  tree,  passing 
with  the  rapidity  of  thought  over  the  space  between,  as 
if  you  had  singled  out  one  or  two  individuals  among 
the  enemy,  to  overtake  whom  was  the  great  object  of 
your  wishes.     Then,  again,  there  is  the  necessity  im- 
posed upon  you,  of  watching  that  your  men  keep  well 
up;  that  they  are  careful  not  to  expose  themselves  un- 
necessarily ;  that  they  arc  cool,  take  a  good  and  deli- 
berate aim,  and  abstain  from  throwing  their  fire  away 
for  no  purpose.     As  to  preserving  a  regular  line,  that 
is  seldom  attempted ;  men  rarely  carry  into  the  field  the 
niceties  of  the  parade-ground ;  it  is  enough  if  you  see, 
that  when  the  right  is  hard  pressed,  the  left  shall  not 
push  too  far  ahead  of  it ;  nor,  when  the  left  hangs  back, 
that  the  right  pass  it  by.     Above  all,  the  ofiicer  must, 
in  such  situations,  be  careful  to  show  his  men  a  becom- 
ing example.     He  ought  not,  indeed,  to  hurry  too  far 
before  them,  because  by  so  doing,  though  he  may  lead 
some  to  follow,  others  taking  advantage  of  the  license 
which  his  blind  impc'uosity  grants,  may  keep  out  of  the 
fire  altogether;  but  still  less  ought  ^d  to  lag  behind. 
He  is  the  best  director  of  a  skirmish  who  moves  back- 
wards and  forwards  amon^  his  troops ;  cheers  and  jinis 


122 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


-if 


;% 


IM 


'    f 


mates  them  by  his  voice  and  gestures ;  scruples  not  to 
expose  himself  occasionally  more  than  may  be  exactly 
required,  and  appears  to  treat  his  enemies  with  con- 
tempt. The  spirit  which  actuates  him  never  fails  to 
arise  among  his  followers,  and  when  once  men  despise 
their  enemies,  they  seldom  fail  to  beat  them. 

Our  skirmish  to-day  was  for  a  while  tolerably  hot, 
and  extremely  animated.  The  Americans  outnumber- 
ed  us  beyond  calculation,  whilst,  as  individuals,  they 
were  at  least  our  equals  in  the  skill  with  which  they 
used  their  weapon ;  yet,  from  the  very  commencement, 
it  was  on  our  part  a  contmual  advance,  on  theirs  a  con- 
tinual retreat.  We  drove  them  from  thicket  to  thicket, 
and  tree  to  tree^  not,  indeed,  with  any  heavy  loss,  for 
they  were  no  less  expert  in  finding  shelter  than  in  tak- 
ing  aim ;  but  occasionally  bringing  down  an  individual 
as  he  was  running  from  one  cover  tc  another.  Our 
own  loss,  again,  was  very  trifling.  Two  men  killed, 
and  about  a  dozen  wounded,  made  up  the  sum  of  our 
casualties ;  and  it  may  with  truth  be  asserted,  that  every- 
thing was  going  on  as  the  General  himself  could  have 
wished.  But  unhappily  he  was  not  satisfied  of  this. 
The  firing  struck  him  as  being  more  heavy  and  more 
continued  than  it  ought  to  be ;  he  was  apprehensive  that 
we  had  fallen  into  some  serious  ambuscade,  and,  un- 
willing  to  trifle  with  the  safety  even  of  a  few  companies, 
he  rode  forward  for  the  purpose  of  satisfying  himself 
that  they  were  safe.  How  bitterly  had  the  whole  ex- 
pedition  cause  to  lament  that  step !  He  had  scarcely 
entered  the  wood,  when  an  American  rifleman  singled 
him  out ;  he  fired,  and  the  ball,  true  to  its  mark,  pierced 


uples  not  to 
^  be  exactly 
s  with  con- 
lever  fails  to 
men  despise 
n. 

)lerably  hot, 
outnunf)ber- 
iduals,  they 
which  they 
mcncement, 
theirs  a  con- 
et  to  thicket, 
ivy  loss,  for 
than  in  tak- 
n  individual 
3ther.  Our 
men  killed, 
sum  of  our 
,  that  every- 
could  have 
led  of  this. 
Y  and  more 
hensive  that 
3e,  and,  un- 
companies, 
ing  himself 
e  whole  ex- 
xd  scarcely 
tian  singled 
ark,  pierced 


1   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA.  123 

his  Side.    When  the  General  received  his  death-wound, 

chanced  to  be  standing  at  no  great  distance  from  him  \ 

saw  that  he  was  struck,  for  the  reins  dropped  instant- 

iy  fi-om  h.  hand,  and  he  leaned  forward  upon  the  pom- 

mel  of  his  saddle,-  and  though  I  would  not  suffer  my. 

towarlT'''r.f' ''"'  "'^  ^"^  ^^"^^^'  I  ^««^--d 
owards  him,  but  I  arrived  too  late.     His  horse  making 

a  movement  forward,  he  lost  his  seat,  and,  but  for  the 
mtervention  of  his  aid-de-camp's  arm,  must  have  fall- 
en  to  the  ground.  As  it  was,  we  could  only  lay  him  at 
length  upon  the  grass,  for  his  limbs  could  no  longer 
perform  their  office-it  was  but  too  manifest  that  his 
race  was  run. 

No  language  can  convey  any  adequate  idea  of  the 
sensation  which  this  melancholy  event  produced  in  the 
bosoms  of  all  who  were  aware  of  it.     It  may  with  truth 
be  asserted,  that  a  general,  young  in  command,  has 
rarely  obtained  the  confidence  of  his  troops  in  the  de! 
gree  m  which  General  Ross  had  obtained  it,  or  held  out 
more  flattering  assurances,  that  he  would  continue  to 
possess  and  to  deserve  it  to  the  last.     As  a  colonel  of 
a  regiment,  a  general  of  brigade  in  Lord  Wellington's 
army,  his  name  had  long  stood  highj  and  the  brilliant 
success  which  attended  his  operations  against  Wash- 
ington, satisfied  his  own  soldiers,  at  least,  that  his  fame 
was  not  unmerited.     It  has  been  said,  that  in  conduct- 
ing the  inroad  last  alluded  to,  he  exhibited  more  of  he- 
sitation  and  diffidence  in  himself  than  belongs  to  a  really 
great  mmd.     Perhaps  he  .night  hesitate  a  little ;  perhaps 
he  did  lose  an  hour  or  two  in  considering,  whether,  with 
a  mere  handful  of  men,  it  would  be  advisable  to  march 


1J4  A   StlBAITERM   IN   AMEBICA. 

„pon  the  capital  of  a  great  nation,  more  especially  a^ 
h   could  notbu.  fool,  that  little  or  no  permanent  advan- 
«>ge  to  the  cause  would  accrue  even  from  success.    Bu 
this  praise,  at  least,  has  never  been  den.ed  h,n.;  that 
I  en  on  e  his  mind  came  to  be  made  up,  no  man  ever 
:  rsued  his  object  more  steadily,  or  with  greater  vtgeur. 
f^tho  present  course  of  operations,  this  was  consptcu- 
ously  the  case.    He  was  in  the  act  of  pushmg  on,  cau- 
Tusly  indeed,  but  with  all  the  celerity  of  the  school  tn 
Zich  he  had  been  trained,  when,  through  the  absence 
If  a  few  able  supporters,  he  was  led  to  throw  h,s  valu- 
oi  a  icvv  au        ' '  V .       i^„   I  ^  braver   and 

able  life  away.     Peace  to  ^'^  ^^^""^  '  ^ J]  , 

better  man  the  British  army  never  P;^^"^^^ '^^^  ^^^^^ 
it  lost  an  officer  of  brighter  promise  or  higher  character 
His  aide-de-camp,  (Captain  M'Dougal,)  havmg  seen 
the  general  laid  by  the  road  side,  left  h.m  to  the  care  of 
Adm'i ral  Cockburn,  and  gallopped  back  for  assistance 
For  myself,  my  duty  called  me  elsewhere.     The  firing 
still  went  on  in  front;  it  was  kept  up  by  my  own  men, 
and  I  could  not  desert  them ;  so  I  too  quitted  the  mourn- 
ful  group,  and  once  more  plunged  into  action. 


4|> 


A    SUBALTERN    IH   AMERICA. 


125 


CHAPTER   XI. 


ACTION  WITH  THE  AMERICANS. 


When  I  overtook  the  skirmishers,  they  were  in  full 
pursuit  of  tlie  Americans,  now  flying  with  all  precipi- 
tation  before  them.     The  wood  was  accordingly  emptied 
in  a  trice;  but  on  reaching  its  skirts,  we  found  what  we 
had,  to  say  the  truth,  expected  to  find,  that  the  riflemen 
now  dislodged  were  nothing  more  than  the  outposts,  or 
rather  advanced  corps,  of  a  regular  army.     At  the  op. 
posite  extremity  of  a  few  open  fields,  about  six  or  seven 
thousand  men  were  drawn  up  in  line.     Their  left  rest- 
ing  upon  a  lake,  and  their  right  extending  to  the  mouth 
of  a  creek  ;  their  ceiitre  was  protected  by  high  palings, 
ond  a  row  of  lofty  trees,  whilst  all  before  them  was  ex' 
posed  and  bare,  to  the  distance  of  nearly  half  a  mile. 
Of  artillery,  they  appeared  to  have  some  six  or  eight 
pieces  in  the  field.     These  were  arranged,  two  upon  the 
main  road,  which  fell  in  towards  the  right  of  the  posi. 
tion,  three  somewhat  farther  to  the  left,  and  the  remain- 
der  singly,  and  at  different  intervals  between  the  corps 
of  infantry.     About  half-musket  shot  in  front  of  them, 
was  a  farm  house,  surrounded  by  numerous  barns,  sta- 


126 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


^1 


bles,  and  a  stack-yard.  AVhether  or  not  they  had  filled 
it  with  troops,  we  had  no  means  of  ascertaining ;  but  it 
occurred  to  Charlton  that  it  might  be  worth  while  to 
seize  it,  in  case  thoy  should  have  neglected  a  measure 
to  them  of  so  much  importance.  With  this  view,  we 
lost  no  time  in  rushing  on.  We  sprung  over  the  paling, 
and  having  received  two  discharges  of  grape  from  the 
guns  upon  the  road,  reached  the  house  in  question,  with 
the  loss  of  only  three  men.  The  enemy  had  not  occu- 
pied it ;  we  took  possession  without  delay  ;  and  rejoicing 
sincerely  in  the  error  of  which  they  had  boon  guilty, 
determined  that  no  efforts  should  on  our  parts  be  want- 
ing to  hinder  them  from  retaking  it. 

Established  in  this  snug  post,  abundant  leisure  was 
granted  for  observing  as  well  the  dispositions  made  by 
the  enemy  to  receive  the  attack,  as  the  advance  of  our 
own  ti'oops  to  make  it;  and  a  most  animating  spectacle 
both  the  one  and  the  other  presented.  On  the  side  of 
the  Americans,  mounted  officers  could  be  seen  riding 
backwards  and  forwards,  apparently  encouraging  their 
men  to  do  their  duty.  Some  companies  moving  from 
its  rear,  wheeled  up  into  the  line;  others  quilting  the 
line,  fell  back  towards  the  reserve.  But  the  corps  which 
attracted  the  chief  share  of  our  attention,  consisted  of 
the  identical  riflemen,  whom  we  had  so  lately  driven 
before  us  out  of  the  wood.  They  continued  for  some 
time  to  drop  in,  by  sections  of  eight,  six,  and  ten,  and 
taking  post  in  rear  of  the  line,  resumed,  as  they  best 
could,  something  like  order.  Nor  were  other  manifes- 
tations of  a  resolution  to  keep  their  ground  wanting. 
Several  tumbrils  and   ammunition   wagons  arriving. 


Ml 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


127 


were  speedily  emptied  of  their  contents;  and  casks  of 
cartridges,  ranged  at  intervals  behind  the  men,  bore  tes- 
timony  to  the  zeal  with  which  the  store-keeper's  depart- 
mcnt  had  been  attended  to.     Such  was  the  condition  of 
affairs  on  the  right.     Away  towards  the  left,  again,  a 
good  deal  of  marching  and  counter-marching  went  on; 
but  whether  it  arose  from  some  mismanagement  in  flic' 
original  disposition  of  the  force,  I  cannot  tell.     It  struck 
mc,  however,  as  being  highly  injudicious,  to  render  raw 
troops  thus  unsteady,  at  the  very  moment  when  they 
were  about  to  come  under  fire;  and  I  confess  that  I  did 
not  augur  very  favourably  of  the  determination  which, 
on  that  flank  at  least,  the  Americans  would  exhibit. 
Lastly,  the  heads  of  two  columns  appearing  in  theskirts 
of  the  more  remote  thicket,  pointed  out  how  the  reserve 
was  stationed,  and  aimost  told  of  what  numbers  it  con- 
sisted. 

How  difTerent  was  the  prospect  to  which  a  glance  to- 
wards our  rear  introduced  us !     We  had  taken  posses- 
sion of  the  farm-house  perhaps  ten  minutes  or  a  quar- 
ter of  an  hour  before  the  leading  divisions  of  our  own 
troops  began  to  emerge  from  the  forest.     As  soon,  how- 
over,  as  they  showed  themselves,  a  flank  movement  to 
the  right  was  made,  and  the  85th  regiment,  in  beautiful 
regularity,  spread  itself  at  extended  order,  over  the 
whole  of  the  enemy's  front.     The  seamen,  who  came 
next,  marched  straight  forward  along  the  road,  till  they 
had  arrived  within  cannon  shot  of  the  American  line, 
where  they  halted.     The  4th  Regiment  arriving  after 
them,  wheeled  off,  as  the  85th  had  done,  to  the  right; 
but  instead  of  e;cteiiding  itself,  filed  along  in  column  of 


M 


-^^^-.t&JSAA-^---',-  ..^^itt^., . 


128 


A  SVBALT£BN   IN   AMEBICA. 


f.      i 


half  companies,  by  the  rear  of  the  light  troops,  till  it 
was  lost  to  farther  observation  in  a  grove.  A  similar 
movement  was  made  by  the  44th,  and  a  battalion  of 
Marines,  who,  forming  line  in  the  open  field,  stood  to 
support  the  skirmishera;  whilst  the  21st,  taking  up  its 
ground  on  the  road,  came  in  on  the  rear  of  the  column, 
of  which  the  seamen  constituted  the  front.  All  these 
formations  were  executed  with  as  much  coolness  and 
precision  as  if  the  whole  had  been  nothing  more  than  a 
review ;  and  in  the  eyes  of  us,  who  watched  it,  the  spec- 
tacle was  in  the  highest  degree  interesting. 

In  the  meanwhile,  neither  the  American  artillery  nor 
our  own  remained  idle.  The  head  of  the  column  no 
sooner  appeared,  than  the  enemy's  pieces  which  com- 
manded the  road  opened  upon  it,  and  though  the  range 
was  somewhat  long,  did  considerable  execution.  To 
check  this,  Captain  Carmichael,  by  whom  the  British 
artillery  was  commanded,  instantly  ordered  two  guns 
and  a  howitzer  to  the  front,  and  pushing  them  for- 
ward within  point-blank  distance  of  the  Americans, 
.soon  paid  them  back,  with  interest,  in  their  own  coin. 
I  do  not  know  that  I  ever  saw  shots  more  accurately 
thrown.  At  the  first  discharge,  five  American  gunners 
were  killed ;  at  the  next,  one  of  the  pieces  was  disabled ; 
upon  which,  turning  their  attention  to  the  infantry,  our 
artillery-men  mowed  them  down  by  whole  sections. 
On  this  occasion,  the  missile  principally  used  was  the 
Shrapnel.  It  may,  perhaps,  be  necessary  to  inform  the 
unmilitary  reader,  that  the  Shrapnel  is  a  hollow  globe 
of  iron,  the  cavity  in  which  is  filled  up,  not  with  powder 
only,  but  with  a  quantity  of  musket-balls.     It  is  dis- 


f 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMBRICA. 


129 


charged  from  a  cannon  exactly  as  a  round  shot  is  dis- 
charged; and  being  supplied  with  a  fuse,  more  or  less 
short,  according  to  the  disfance  to  be  traversed ;  it  bursts 
just  in  front  of  its  object,  and  throws  the  whole  of  its 
murderous  contents  forward.     To-day  it  did  fearful  ha- 
voc.     The  Americans  durst  not  stand  before  it,  but 
shrunk  away  from  each  spot  where  a  shell  had  fallen, 
as  if  there  had  been  something  deadly  in  the  very  soil. 
But  it  was  not  upon  the  road  a'one  that  a  smart  can- 
nonading was  kept  up.     The  three  guns,  of  which  I 
have  already  spoken  as  being  stationed  in  the  fields  to- 
wards the  Americans'  lefi,  opened  upon  the  85th  rcgi- 
mcnt  as  soon  as  thoy  had  taken  their  ground.     The 
soldiers,  however,  paid  little  heed  to  the  salutation. 
Being  commanded  to  lie  down,  they  did  so,  and  rested 
for  twenty  minutes  very  composedly,  in  defiance  of  the 
showers  of  balls  that  fell  thick  and  fast  about  them. 

At  the  expiration  of  that  period,  every  necessary 
preparation  appearing  tu  be  complete,  Colonel  Brooke, 
on  whom  the  chief  command  had  devolved,  was  seen ' 
to  ride  along  the  rear  of  the  line,  followed  by  his  staff. 
Halting  about  the  centre  of  the  field,  the  little  group 
turned  their  glasses,  for  a  faw  moments,  in  the  direction 
of  the  enemy's  position,  and  then,  as  if  satisfied  that  all 
things  were  in  order,  they  began  to  disperse.  An  aid- 
de-camp  gallopped  ofi"  to  the  right,  Mr.  Evans  flew  to- 
wards  the  left,  and  the  orderly  bugler  sounding  the 
charge,  the  whole  army  sprung  into  its  ranks.  The 
spirit-stirring  notes  were  echoed  back  from  all  quarters, 
and  the  Une  moved  forward. 

I  have  said  that  our  position  all  this  while  was  amon^ 
12*  ° 


*  !.j(    i 


130 


A   8U0ALTEBN    IN    AMERICA. 


^11 


u  number  of  houses  and  corn-stalks,  situated  about  mid- 
way between  the  hostile  armies.  Nothing  can  be  con- 
ceived more  animated,  or  more  imposing,  than  the  spec- 
tacle which  now  met  our  gaze.  The  light  troops,  in 
extended  order,  stretcliing  from  one  thicket  to  another, 
covered  the  entire  0|)cn  space,  and  advanced,  with  the 
same  coolness,  and  in  the  same  ailmirable  style,  as  if 
they  had  been  marching  upon  a  parade.  In  their  rear, 
though  far  enough  removed  to  be,  in  a  great  measure, 
secure  against  the  fire  of  musketry,  came  a  compact 
line,  whose  business  it  was,  rather  to  give  support  wher- 
ever it  should  be  needed,  than  to  take  any  active  part 
in  the  battle.  On  the  road  again,  a  dense  column  of 
blue-jackets  pressed  forward,  with  the  alacrity  and  con- 
tempt of  danger,  which  so  eminently  distinguish  the 
British  sailor;  whilst  a  battalion,  likewise  in  column, 
marched  after  it,  ready  to  follow  up  with  advantage 
whatever  successes  the  i)rivileged,  undisciplined  valour 
of  the  seamen  might  obtain. 

On  the  side  of  the  Americans,  ngain,  all  was  stillness 
and  c.\pe=^tation.  The  corps  which,  up  to  this  moment, 
had  been  continually  changing  their  ground,  now  stood 
fast.  The  whole  were  in  line,  and,  with  shouldered 
arms,  appeared  to  watch  the  progress  of  their  enemies, 
like  men  who  were  determined  not  to  bij  beaten.  I 
thought,  indeed,  that  I  could  perceive  a  little  wavering 
at  one  particular  point.  It  was  a  spot  towards  their  ex- 
treme  left,  which,  in  the  course  of  the  cannonade,  had 
received  more  than  its  due  proportion  of  salutations; 
but  whether  I  was  correct  or  not,  it  is  impossible  for  me 
to  say,  inasmuch  as  the  vision  became  almost  instantly 


*  •"■AlTEIl!,  IN  A»e»ICA.  13, 

n  Iheir  l,„o  several  piece,  of  cannon,  from  which  no 
discharges  had  as  yet  ,„ke„  place.  What  ,h!ir  oU^! 
was  ,„  keeping  them  so  Ion.  idle  I  know  , ',  T^ 
2  '-«;"«•  .ha,  their  f,r= .  "h^l'o";:  r^Ct 
cdly,  would  produce  a  double  efcl,_and  on  that  „!■ 
count  reserved  it  for  the  attack,    k  ,1  i'  2  TS 

of  grape  was  poured  upon  thom  from  every  gun  in  thi 
field;  and  the  plunging  of  tails  „,|  „,„„„  .^/"^ 
eras  ,ng  of  rails,  trees,  and  other  ohjects-struct.a^w^ 
"i.  not  u  ft;"  prostrations  among  the  soldiers  theniselve 
g-e^proof  that  the  salutation  was  not  leas  seriourthal' 

Aa  yet,  it  may  he  said,  that  I  and  my  immediate  fol 
ewers  ranked  nothing  more  than  apectltorsof  he  1 ' 

»ll.  ,.ndeed,acann„n.shot  passing  through  the  window 
or  the  house,  or  lodging  i„  „„,  „,-  ,^^  J  °l 

nony  ,  at  the  en-my  were  not  wholly  u„;indf:i    f 
us,      t     e  were  already  so  far  in  advance,  tha,  to  push 
on  II   the  othora  overtook   ua,  would  have  heen  the 
.e,ght  of  absurdity.     Now,  however,  we  began  ,0  fe, 
hat  a  state  o    q"iescence  was  no,  e™c.lv°ha.  wll, 
became  us      Mav.ng  waited  till  a  fo.y  of  the  n.ost  for 
ward  o,  the  skinni.her,  («gan  to  seek  shelter    ehtd 
our  ftnn  yard,  we  likewise  aasumed  the  offensive  and 
daahtng  from  our  lurking.place,  pressed  onwards!' 

mmedtately  in  front  of  the  farra-houae  ran  a  hi.h 
ra,hng,  s.mdar  to  those  of  which  I  have  before  had  oc. 
eas,on  ,0  speak,  as  intcraeeling  almost  every  field  or 


'; 


if 


'-^- 


122 


A   SUBALTERN   IN    AMERICA. 


tr 


i 


open  spot  in  this  quarter  of  America.  Wc  were  in  the 
act  of  springing'  over  it,  when  the  enemy,  directing 
against  us  a  couple  of  six-pounders,  swept  down  five  or 
six  men  out  of  the  company.  Among  them  there  was 
one  poor  fellow,  who  received  from  that  fire  as  horrible 
a  wound  as  I  recollect  at  any  period  to  have  seen.  A 
round  shot  striking  him  in  the  shoulder,  tore  away  the 
whole  of  the  limb,  and  left  his  very  lungs  exposed  to 
the  view  of  the  by-stander.  The  man  was  a  bit  of  a 
favourite  with  his  master.  By  birth  a  gypsy,  he  pos- 
sessed not  only  to  a  high  degree  the  qualities  of  convi- 
viality and  good  humour,  but  he  was  acknowledged  to 
be  by  far  the  most  skilful  maker  of  fires,  and  therefore 
one  of  the  most  useful  individuals  in  the  regiment.  No 
rain,  hqwever  heavy,  hindered  him  from  striking  a 
light,  and  from  a  light  once  struck,  he  never  failed  to  pro- 
duce a  blaze.  The  loss  of  such  a  personage  could  not 
but  be  deeply  ami  universally  lamented.  It  may  not  be 
amiss  to  add  here,  that  in  spite  of  the  severity  of  his 
wound,  the  poor  fellow  lingered  many  days ;  he  was 
even  removed  to  the  ship  before  he  died.  Might  not  the 
blowing  out  of  a  man's  brains,  under  such  circum- 
stances, be  not  only  justifiable,  but  praiseworthy  ? 

Up  to  this  moment,  not  a.  single  musket  had  been 
discharged  on  either  side,  and  the  most  perfect  silence 
prevailed  throughout  the  ranks  of  both  armies.  The 
British  soldiers  moved  forward  with  their  accustomed 
fearlessness,  and  the  Americans,  with  much  apparent 
coolness,  stood  to  receive  them.  Now,  however,  when 
little  more  than  an  hundred  paces  divided  the  one  lino 
from  the  other,  both  parties  made  ready  to  bring  mat- 


's 


u 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


133 


lets  more  decidedly  to  a  personal  struggle.  The  Ame- 
ricans  were  the  first  to  use  their  small  arms.  Havinrr 
rent  the  air  with  a  shout,  they  fired  a  volley,  begun  upon 
the  nght,  and  carried  away  regularly  to  the  extreme 
left;  and  then  loading  again,  kept  up  an  unintermitted 
discharge,  which  soon  in  a  great  degree  concealed  them 
from  our  observation.  Nor  were  we  backward  in 
returning  the  salute.  A  hearty  British  cheer  gave  no- 
tic  of  our  willingness  to  meet  them :  and  firing  and 
running,  we  gradually  closed  upon  them,  with  the  de- 
sign  of  bringing  the  bayonet  into  play. 

I  hardly  know  what  language  to  employ  for  the  pur- 
pose  of  conveying  to  the  mind  of  a  reader,  who  posses^ 
ses  no  practical  acquaintance  with  the  subject,  some- 
thing like  a  clear  idea  of  a  battle,  at  that  period  in  its 
progress  at  which  we  have  now  arrived.     Volley  upon 
volley    having   been  given,   we  were  now   advanced 
within  less  than  twenty  yards  of  the  American  line  ; 
yet  such  was  the  densencss  of  the  smoke,  that  it  was 
only  when  a  passing  breeze  swept  away  the  cloud  for 
a  moment,  that  either  force  became  visible  to  the  other. 
It  was  not,  therefore,  at  men's  persons  that  the  fire  of 
our  soldiers  was  directed.     The  flashes  of  the  enemy's 
muskets  alone  served  as  an  object  to  aim  at,  as,  without 
doubt,  the  flashes  of  our  muskets  alone  guided  the  ene- 
my.   At  last,  however,  the  wind  suddenly  sprung  up. 
The  obscurity  in  which  both  parties  had  been  envefoped 
was  cleared  away ;  and  there,  sure  enough,  stood  our 
opponents,  not,  as  they  had  stood  an  hour  ago,  in  close 
and  compact  array,  but  confused  by  the  murderous  fire 
to  which  they  had  been  exposed.     Napoleon  Buona. 


!    ■  * 


m 


184 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


parte  has  affirmed,  that  he  never  witnessed  anything 
more  terrific  than  the  fire  of  a  British  line  of  infantry. 
The  cx-empcror  was  perfectly  correct.  In  the  armies 
of  other  nations,  particularly  iu  those  of  America,  many 
marksmen,  more  expert  as  individuals,  may  be  found ; 
but  we  may  search  the  world  over  before  we  shall  dis- 
cover troops  who,  as  a  body,  take  aim  with  the  same 
coolness,  reserve  their  fire  so  well,  or,  as  a  necessary 
consequence,  pour  it  in  with  such  tremendous  efltct  as 
our  own  soldiers.  Of  this  the  Americans  had  to-day 
received  the  most  appalling  proofs;  numbers  lay  dead 
among  the  feet  of  their  comrades ;  numbers  more  had 
retired  maimed  or  wounded ;  and  those  who  still  kept 
the  field,  were  broken  und  confused.  One  thing  alone 
was  requiretl  to  complete  the  rout.  Our  gallant  fellows, 
uttering  a  hearty  cheer,  threw  in  their  last  volley,  and 
then  rushed  forward  with  the  bayonet;  but  a  shock, 
which  the  flower  of  European  armies  had  never  been 
able  to  withstand,  the  Americans  ventured  not  to  re- 
ceive. They  lost  in  a  moment  all  order,  and  fled,  as 
every  man  best  could,  from  the  field. 

There  was  but  one  road  along  which  horses  or  car- 
riages  could  move,  and  it  became  crowded  to  excess  in 
a  moment.  Whilst  the  infantry,  dashing  into  the  forest, 
thought  to  conceal  themselves  among  its  mazes,  the  ca- 
valry, of  which  a  few  squadrons  had  been  drawn  up 
upon  their  right,  scampered  oflT  by  the  main  road ;  and 
was  immediately  followed  by  guns,  tumbrils,  ammuni- 
tion waggons,  and  the  whole  materiel  of  the  army. 
To  arrest  the  progress  of  all,  or  some  part  of  that  force, 
became  now  our  great  object,     •*  Hurrah  for  the  guns !" 


i/tct  t 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA.  I35 

was  a  word  of  command  first  uttered  by  Colonel  Brooke  • 
it  was  repeated,  with  loud  laughter  and  tumultuous  out-' 
cries,  from  one  rank  to  another;  and  desperate  and  un- 
.ntermittmg  were  the  efforts  which  we  made  to  overtake 
and  cut  off  such  as  were  hindmost.     But  unhappily  the 
absence  of  even  the  mounted  troopers  told  sorely  a/ainst 
us  to-day.     The  truth  of  it  is,  the  American  ordn'ance 
drawn  by  fleet  horses,  readily  escaped.     And  out  of  the 
whole  party,  only  two  guns,  and  one  tumbril  alone,  fell 
into  our  hands.     Of  prisoners,  however,  we  were  for- 
tunate  enough  to  secure  a  Cow.     The  fourth  regiment 
wh.ch  had  made  a  detour  for  the  purpose  of  turning  thJ 
enemy  s  left,  though  it  arrived  not  in  time  to  take  much 
share  m  the  action,  succeeded  in  cutting  off  about  half 
of  a  battalion  from  the  high  road ;  and  this  body,  driven 
back  „pon  its  pursuers,  saved  itself  from  annihilation 
by  laying  down  its  arms. 

Thus  ended  the  affair  of  the  12th  of  September,  after 
about  an  hour  and  a  half  of  pretty  severe  fightincr. 
On  our  part,  the  loss  sustained  could  not  exceed  tw^o 
.undred  men  in  all;  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  at 
east  double  that  number  had  fallen.     The  dead,  indeed 
lay  m  clusters  far  more  frequent,  and  fur  more  nume' 
reus,  than  anywhere  I  at  least  discovered  on  the  field 
of  Bladensburg ;  and  as  the  proportion  between  the  killed 
and  wounded  in  an  army  is  usually  as  five  to  one,  it 
was  easy  to  collect  that  the  whole  amount  of  persons 
rendered  hors-de-combat,  must  have  been  very  consi- 
derable.    Yet  there  was  not  amongst  us  one  man  who 
did  not  feel  that  the  victory  had  been  purchased  at  a 


i^ 


186 


A   SUBALTERN   IV  AMERICA. 


»      f  -'i 


si    •' 


i* 


terrible  price, — it  had  cost  the  life  of  our  General,  and 
in  so  doing,  had  crippled  all  our  resourcfs. 

The  day  being  now  considerably  advanced,  and  the 
troops  somewhat  fatigued  by  their  exertions,  our  new 
leader  determined  to  halt  for  that  night  on  the  field  which 
he  had  won.     With  this  view,  the  bugles  were  directed 
to  sound  the  recall;  whilst  the  Quarter-Master  General 
proceeded  to  fix  upon  a  proper  spot  for  the  bivouac,  anc 
to  station  the  out-posts.     Nor  were  the  medical  attend' 
ants  of  the  army  unmindful  of  their  important  charge 
There  chanced  to  be,  in  the  line  of  the  late  operations 
two  houses  of  some  size;  these  were  of  course  occu 
pied,  and  tlie  smaller  and  more  incommodious  being  sc 
lected  as  head-quarters,  the  larger  and  better  was  dc 
voted  to  the  accommodation  of  the  wounded.     Thithei 
all  who  had  not  been  already  dressed  upon  the  field,  an 
sent  back  to  the  boats,  were  conveyed ;  nor  was  th 
smallest  distinction  made  between  the  Americans  an. 
the  English.     To  say  the  truth,  however,  they  were  bu 
indifferently  provided  for.    The  owners  having  removec 
every  piece  of  furniture  out  of  the  house,  the  poor  sol 
diers  could  only  be  huddled  together  on  the  floors  of  the 
ililR'rcnt  apartments;  and  as  our  medical  officers  wer< 
few  in  number,  the  delay  in  paying  attention  to  thei 
wounds  was  in  some  cases  very  great.     Yet  few,  eithe 
of  the  English  or  the  Americans,  complained.     A  groai 
or  a  shriek  would,  indeed,  occasionally  strike  upon  th( 
ear  of  the  by-stander;  and  even  a  querulous  exclama- 
tion, as  the  moving  of  another's  leg  or  arm  happened 
to  bring  it  into  contact  with  some  unfortimate  man's 


'   I 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


137 


broken  limb.     But  there  were  no  murmurs ;  no  whin- 

ings  because  one  or  other  was  not  immediately  looked 

to.     On  the  contrary,  the  instances  were  not  rare  in 

which  one  wounded  man  would  entreat  the  surgeon  to 

pass  him  by  for  the  present,  that  the  wound  of  another 

more  seriously  hurt  might  be  dressed  in  the  first  place. 

It  is  a  great  mistake  to  imagine  that  war  renders  men 

necessarily  selfish.     In  such  campaigns  as  that  of  the 

French  in  Russia,  where  suffering  may  be  said  to  have 

reached  its  height,  the  better  feelings  of  human  nature 

become,  without  doubt,  entirely  blunted ;  but  in  ordinary 

cases,  the  inquirer  will  find  as  much  of  real  generosity 

and  noble-mindedness  among  soldiers  in  the  field,  as 

among  any  class  of  human  society. 

The  troops  being  checked,  not  without  some  difficulty, 
in  the  midst  of  their  ardour,  the  different  regiments  col-' 
lected  round  their  coloun^  and  formed  into  close  column. 
Fires  were  then,  as  usual,  lighted ;  and  there,  but  a  short 
space  removed  from  the  bodies  of  the  slain,  we  prepared 
to  pass  the  night. 


Ji 


13 


188 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


DEFENCES  FOR  THE  PROTECTION  OP  BALTIMORE. 


il  ^ 


As  there  still  remained  some  hours  of  daylight,  my 
friend  and  myself  having  partaken  of  such  slight  pro- 
vision  as  our  commissary  could  furnish,  amused  our- 
selves by  wandering  over  the  scene  of  the  last  contest, 
and  examining,  at  our  leisure,  both  the  nature  of  the 
ground  occupied  by  the  Americans,  and  the  dispositions 
made  to  dislodge  them.     We  found  the  enemy's  position 
not,  indeed,  so  commanding,  in  many  respects,  as  that 
which  they  had  occupied  above  Bladensburg,  but  suffi- 
cicntly  so,  in  all  conscience,  to  have  enabled  troops  bet- 
tor disciplined,  and  more  habituated  to  danger,  to  keep 
their  ground  for  many  hours,  even  against  superior  num- 
bers.    The  left  of  the  line,  in  particular,  struck  us  as 
being  more  strongly  posted  than  frequently  falls  to  the 
lot  of  small  armies.     Not  only  was  the  lake  which  co- 
vered it  perfectly  unfordable,  but  its  banks,  steep,  pre- 
cipitous, and  woody,  furnished  the  very  best  species  of 
cover  for  light  troops,  by  the  use  of  which,  an  hundred 
resolute  men  might  have  checked  the  approach  of  a 
whole  army  for  half  a  day.     On  the  right,  again,  all 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


13U 


LTIMORE. 


It,  again,  all 


attempts  at  turning  were  rendered  hopeless,  by  the  in- 
tervention of  the  head  of  a  creek,  which  in  this  direc- 
tion stretched  considerably  inland ;  whilst  a  close  and 
tangled  thicket,  intersected  here  and  there  by  narrow- 
pathways,  absolutely  invited  the  American  General  to 
push  forward  u  corps,  which,  making  a  circuit,  might 
have  fallen  upon  the  rear  of  our  army  at  any  moment 
most  convenient  for  themselves,  and  most  injurious  to 
us.  Besides  all  which,  the  troops  themselves  s^ood  at 
the  summit  of  a  gentle  slope,  and  in  the  heart  of  a  belt 
of  oaks,  regular  as  a  row  of  palisades ;  whilst  the  houses, 
now  converted  by  us  to  the  uses  detailed  above,  were, 
from  their  situation,  admirably  adapted  to  cover  the  re- 
formation of  almost  any  part  of  the  line  which  might 
by  accident  have  been  broken.  But  all  these  advanta- 
ges wQre  of  no  avail.  There  was  wanting  that,  with- 
out whiekany  other  superiority  will  be  found  useless, 
a  confidence  in  the  troops  themselves,  which  nothinfr, 
except  repeated  successes,  and  a  long  acquaintance  with 
warfare,  bestows. 

In  passing  from  one  extremity  of  the  field  to  another, 
it  unavoidably  happened,  that  on  more  than  one  occa- 
sion we  were  compelled  to  pick  our  steps  among  the 
dead ;  and  it  was  then  that  the  great  disparity  between 
the  loss  sustained  by  us,  and  that  on  the  side  of  the 
enemy,  struck  us.  On  the  main  road,  indeed,  the  num. 
ber  of  British  bodies  was  considerable ;  the  seamen  and 
21st  regiment,  which  occupied  that  post,  had  been  ex- 
posed to  a  sweeping  fire  of  artillery,  and  had  suffered ; 
but  in  other  directions,  for  one  body  clothed  in  a  scarlet 
uniform,  five  corpses  of  slaughtered  republicans  might 


m 


140 


A  SUBAITEKN  IN  AMEBICA. 


bo  counted.  Nor  did  it  appear  to  us  as  being  ihe  ,  =ast 
remarkable  feature  in  the  ca^,  that  not  one'  a,  , t 
.*.„  was  s.r,p,K,d.  They  had  lain  already  some  hours 
exposed  yet  such  was  the  paucity  „f  „ur  camp.follow. 
ers  or  the.r  unskilfulness  in  their  vocation,  that  they 
still  lay  as  they  had  fallen.  '^ 

Having  in  ,hk  manner  gratified  our  curiosity,  we  re. 
turned  to  the  spot  which  we  had  previously  J^red  as 
a  eonventent  one  for  passing  the  nigh,.    llwasa  ha" 
green  mound,  apart  from  the  res,  of  the  army  a„^ 
sheltered  by  the  branches  of  three  spreading  t^"  wWch 
.surmounted  it.    There  we  found  oLfire  ^^^fy^^. 
mg>  a  httle  straw  got  together,  and  a  supper  of  boiled 
goose  and  greens  ready  to  be  served  up.    The  .Tader 
».  1  easily  believe,  that  we  addressed  ourselves  to  the 
last  w,th  a  satisfaction  by  no  means  the  less  lively  that 
we  had  not  anticipated  anything  of  the  kind.    Ou;  er 
vants.  ,t  appeared,  inten,.  as  all  good  servants  ough  t 
be,  upon  their  masters'  comfort,  had  instituted  a  search 
..every  dtrecion  after  viands,  and,  in  a  shed  neaT  h 
hospital,  had  discovered  a  tiock  of  some  sixteen  or  eigh- 
een  geese.     Of  these  they  took  care  to  secure  a  couple 
-fore  any  other  individual  was  le,  into  the  secret -bu 
.he  birds  soon  betrayed  themselves-their  cackling  was 
overheard  by  the  surgeons'  attendants,  and  in  five  li 
nutes  al^er  they  all  paid  the  deb.  of  nature.    In,„  "e 
fate  of  the  b.rds,  however,  we  cared  no.  to  inquire   we 
were  pleased  with  our  own  share,  and  having  oved 
.h.s  m  ,he  most  satisfactory  of  all  manners,  we  d mnk 
bSar;.^"-     '"~'-«-ett 


•  "•.:''■■' 


Jing  the  least 
ne  of  ali  the 
'some  hours 
:amp.follo\v- 
n,  that  they 

3sity,  we  re- 
'  selected  as 
was  a  bare 
army,  and 
trees  which 
ightly  blaz- 
sr  of  boiled 
rhe  reader 
ves  to  the 
lively,  that 
Our  ser- 
ts  ought  to 
d  a  search 
d  near  the 
3n  or  eigh- 
3  a  couple 
3cretj  but 
kling  was 
1  five  mi- 
Into  the 
juirej  we 
?  proved 
^e  drank 
we  were 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


141 


For  the  first  half  of  the  night,  our  repose  continued 
to  be  as  sound  and  unbroken  as  we  could  possibly  de- 
sire.    The  air  was  serene  and  mild;  and  the  interven- 
tion of  the  boughs  overhead,  screened  us  pretty  success- 
fully from  the  dews ;  but  towards  midnight  we  were 
awakened  by  a  visitation,  to  guard  against  which,  even 
the  dense  foliage  of  our  bower  proved  wholly  insuffi- 
cient.     The  rain  fell  in  torrents.     There  was  no  thun- 
der, it  is  true;  but  the  fountains  of  the  great  deep 
seemed  for  the  second  time  to  be  broken  up,  so  tremen- 
dous  was  the  rush  of  water  upon  oi;r  lairs.     We  rose, 
as  may  be  imagined,  not  in  the  best  humour  possible ; 
yet  we  soon  found  out  that  to  repine  would  be  useless ; 
so  drawing  our  cloaks  more  closely  around  us,  we  crept 
a  little  nearer  to  the  fire,  and  sat  for  half  an  hour  list- 
ening to  the  storm.     By  and  by,  however,  drowsiness 
began  again  to  exert  its  influence.     The  ^\ater  fell  as 
profusely  as  ever;  our  garments  were  not  proof  against 
it;  we  were  thoroughly  saturated,  but  even  in  that  state 
sleep  was  precious.     We  heaped  on  an  additional  quan- 
tity of  fuel,  and  laying  ourselves  as  close  to  the  blaze 
as  a  regard  to  our  personal  safety  would  allow,  we  were 
very  soon  as  ignorant  of  passing  events,  as  we  had 
been  before  the  storm  awoke  us. 

If  any  judgment  may  be  formed  from  the  condition 
of  our  persons  when  the  orderly  sergeant  roused  us,  the 
rain  must  have  continued  to  fall,  without  any  intermis- 
sion, from  midnight  up  to  the  moment  of  the  general 
muster.  For  myself,  I  can  only  aver,  that  I  got  up, 
absolutely  heavy  with  the  load  of  moisture  which  hung 

about  me.     To  say  that  I  was  wet  to  the  skin,  would 
13* 


142 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


'^  i    I 


Ih^ 


be  to  convey  a  very  feeble  picture  of  my  predicament. 
My  very  skm  was  perforated,-!  was  wet  to  the  bones 
and  marrow.  Yet  I  rose  in  the  highest  possible  .spirits, 
and  took  post  beside  my  men,  every  one  of  whom  was 
as  completely  drenched  as  I,  and  I  firmly  believe,  as 
merry  and  light-hearted. 

mentt.Il  day-l.ght  began  to  appear;  after  which  we 
moved  down,  and  took  our  stations  on  the  high  road,  at 
the  head  of  the  column.     There  we  found  the  other 

leTM';".  ''"''''  ^^^^"^^^'"g'  and  I  perfectly  recol. 
lect  to  this  moment,  the  degree  of  mirth  which  was  ex- 

ced  among  us  soldiers,  when  our  gallant  allies,  the 
bluejackets,  proceeded  to  take  up  their  ground.  Even 
the  un«,,,        r,^,^^  ^.^^  ^  understand,  tha 

wh  na  ,,1  forms,  the  different  companies  of  th 

battahon  or  brigade  draw  up,  as  nearly  is  may  be  at 
regular  d.3.a„ces  from  each  other.     No  men  e've^'s:! 

th  sa  tT  r:r"^^^ 

mos  i  L  V^'"^  "  'PP^'"^  ^°  ^^  ^  matter  of  the 
whit  th  '     f ''"''  ^'^^^  ""'  ^'^^^^  they  stood; 

ThH         T  ^Y'"''^^  '""''"^'^  ^"  conceivable  bounds 

^<^g"'ar  land  force.     In  storming  a  batterv  or  m^l. 
™,  a  .udden  da.h  for  any  purpose!  he  TXps  t 

'  °n'=™'™s.  ivhere  patience  no  less  than  coura<.e  and 
-gulanty  no  less  than  daring,  are  require     he  Fst" 

cent.    He  had  done  his  duty,  however,  in  the  affair  of 


I 


A    SUBALTERN   IN    AMERICA.,  I43 

yesterday,  and  done  it  nobly;  and  if  we  did  smile  a  lit. 
tie  at  his  Ignorance  of  tactics,  there  was  not,  in  the  feel- 
ing which  produced  it,  the  most  remote  assimilation  to 
disrespect,  or  the  most  distant  disposition  to  deny  to  him 
the  full  meed  of  praise  which  his  gallantry  had  already 
merited,  and,  we  were  aware,  would  merit  again. 

I  know  not  whence  it  came  about,  but  the  company 
to  which  I  was  attached,  had  again  the  good  fortune  to 
be  employed  as  a  flank  patrol.     The  column  having 
formed  in  marching  order,  we.  who  stood  at  its  head 
were  ordered  to  cast  off  our  blankets,  and  dash  into  the 
woods ;  and  we  had  hardly  done  so,  when  a  bugle  from 
the  rear,  sounding  the  advance,  warned  us  to  go  on. 
We  delayed  not  one  moment  in  obeying  the  signal. 
The  rain  had  ceased,  but  the  branches  of  the  trees,  the 
underwood,  and  long  grass,  were  all  loaded  with  wlter. 
These,  however,  were  circumstances  which  we  never 
dreamed  of  taking  into  consideration— we  pushed  on 
Wet  enou^rh  we  were  already-every  step  that  we  took 
made  us  more  so;  for  the  grass  reaching  to  our  middles, 
had  all  the  influence  of  a  mire  equally  deep;  yet  we 
contrived  to  keep  our  arms  dry,  and  doing  that,  we  cared 
for  httle  besides.     A  brush  of  a  few  minutes  put  our 
blood  in  rapid  circulation ;  no  leisure  was  granted,  in 
which  it  could  again  become  stagnant;  and  it  was  speed- 
ily  apparent  enough,  that  our  minds  would  receive  to 
the  full  as  much  employment  in  this  excursion  as  our 
bodies.     We  had  not  proceeded  a  quarter  of  a  mile  be- 
fore we  fell  in  with  about  twenty  armed  men.     They 
were  stragglers  from  yesterday's  battle,  and  submitted 
immediately;  but  they  informed  us  that  the  whole  of 


144 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


the  wood  was  filled  with  riflemen ;  and  that  our  pro- 
gress, if  we  made  any  progress  at  all,  would  be  cfiected 
by  dint  of  hard  fighting. 

It  will  be  readily  imagined,  that,  with  such  a  prospect 
before  us,  wc  pushed  on  eagerly  and  rapidly,  but  with 
extreme  caution.     The  face  of  the  country  was  even 
more  wild  than  any  which,  on  the  present  excursion  at 
least,  wc  had  yet  passed.     The  high  road  wound  for 
many  miles  through  the  centre  of  a  dark  forest;  and 
the  course  of  the  flankers  was  rarely  indeed  diversified 
with  any  other  prospect,  besides  that  of  an  apparently 
interminable  wilderness  of  trees.     At  last,  however,  a 
few  open  and  onltlvntcd  spots  burst  upon   us.     Sweep- 
ing along,  at  the  distance  of  not  less  than  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  from  the  column,  the  section  which  I  command- 
ed  arrived  suddenly  at  a  hamlet,  completely  embosom- 
ed  in  the  woods,  and  to  all  appearance  cut  ofl"  from  in- 
tercourse  with  every  other  part  of  the  world.     It  con- 
sisted,  as  far  as  my  memory  may  be  trusted,  of  five 
houses,  each  of  which  stood  about  a  stone's  throw  apart 
from  the  rest,  and  was  surrounded  by  a  little  enclosure, 
in  the  highest  state  of  cultivation,  and  even  of  beauty. 
But  the  circumstance  whiih  delighted  us  most  of  all, 
was  to  find,  that  not  one  cottage  out  of  the  whole  clus- 
ter was  deserted  by  its  inhabitants.     There  they  were, 
males  and  females,  young  men  and  maidens,  old  men 
and  children;  and  they  scrupled  not  to  assure  us,  that 
our  own  proclamations  had  kept  them  there,  because 
they  believed  that  British  soldiers  were  incapable  of  vi- 
olating their  promises.     I  need  scarcely  add,  that  both 
their  persons  and  property  were  treated  with  the  same 


f1<? 


i 


A    8UBALTBRN    IN    AMERICA. 


145 


lat  our  pro- 
I  be  cfiectcd 

1  a  prospect 
y,  but  with 
y  was  even 
xcursion  at 
wound  for 
forest;  and 
I  diversified 
apparently 
however,  a 
3.     Sweep- 
quarter  of 
command- 
embosom - 
ff  from  in- 
1.     It  con- 
:ed,  of  five 
hrow  apart 
enclosure, 
of  beauty, 
lost  of  all, 
khole  clus- 
hey  were, 
5,  old  men 
e  us,  that 
3,  because 
xble  of  vi- 
that  both 
the  same 


respect  as  would  have  been  shown  to  the  persons  and 
property  of  the  inhabitants  of  an  English  village.  The 
milk,  bread,  cheese,  and  wniskey,  which  they  were  good 
enough  to  offer,  we,  of  course,  made  no  scruple  to  ac- 
cept; but  not  one  among  them  had  occasion  to  complain 
of  a  solitary  act  of  violence  committed.  Our  stay  among 
them,  mdeed,  exceeded  not  five  minutes;  and  we  left 
them  as  we  found  them. 

We  had  quitted  the  village  about  a  on  .  . -  of  an 
hour,  when,  pushing  my  way  through  the  middle  of  a 
copse  more  than  ordinarily  close,  I  suddenly  found  my. 
self  opposite  to  two  American  soldiers.    I  was  alone- 
that  .s  to  say,  my  men,  though  following  the  same  track,' 
had  diverged  to  the  right  and  ieft  of  this  thicket,  whilst 
I  forced  myself,  with  some  difficulty,  through  its  centre. 
Whether  I  felt  in  any  degree  alarmed  by  the  vision,  is 
a  problem  which,  at  this  distance  of  time,  I  cannot  un- 
dertake  to  solve;  all  that  I  remember  is,  that,  holding 
a  cocked  pistol  in  my  hand,  I  ran  towards  them,  and 
commanded  them,  on  pain  of  death,  to  surrender. 
When  I  first  caught  sight  of  them,  the  one  was  lying 
at  length  upon  the  grass,— the  other,  in  a  kneeling  po- 
sition,  was  hanging  over  him;  but  the  latter,  as  soon  as 
he  observed  my  approach,  sprung  upon  his  feet,  and 
levelhng  a  short  rifle  at  me,  demanded  a  parley.     I 
could  not,  under  such  circumstances,  grant  his  request; 
but  rushing  forward,  knocked  up  the  muzzle  of  the  piece, 
which  he,  not  through  any  deficiency  in  courage,  cleaily 
enough,  but  from  motives  of  proper  prudence,  abstained 
from  discharging;  and  then  required  that  both  he  and 
his  companion,  who  still  remained  motionless,  should 


146 


A   SUBALTERN   IN    AMERICA. 


regard  themselves  as  prisoneri  of  war.  The  reader 
will  guess  my  surprise  when  I  beheld  the  individual  to 
whom  I  was  addressing  myself,  burst  into  tears.  "  Do 
with  me,"  said  he,  "  what  you  will ;  my  life  is  of  little 
value;  you  may  take  it  now,  if  you  choose;  but  I  be- 
seech you,  by  all  the  tics  of  kindred,  if  such  you  ac- 
knowledge, have  mercy  upon  my  father.  He  was 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  yesterday ;  I  bore  him  so  far 
on  my  back,  but  my  strength  failed  me,  and  I  could 
bear  him  no  farther."  I  was  much  aftected  by  this  ap- 
peal; and  stooping  down,  looked  anxiously  to  ascertain 
in  what  plight  the  wounded  man  lay.  He  was  perfectly 
motionless.  Not  a  muscle  quivered, — not  a  breath 
heaved  his  chest ;  he  was  dead ;  and  the  state  of  his 
skin,  which  was  warm  and  clammy,  indicated,  that  life 
must  have  gone  out  only  a  few  minutes  ago.  "  My 
poor  fellow,"  said  T,  «  your  piety  has,  I  fear,  been  of 
little  avail ;  but  G'  forbid  that  I  should  do  injury  either 
to  a  father  or  a  sou  under  such  circumstances.  Tliere 
is  but  one  duty  now  which  you  can  perform ;  go  and 
perform  it."  So  saying,  I  dashed  on,  leaving  the  youth, 
(for  a  mere  youth  he  was,)  at  perfect  liberty  to  do  with 
the  corpse  of  his  parent  what  he  chose. 

I  have  no  recollection  that  any  other  adventure  wor- 
thy of  record  befell  us  during  the  remainder  of  our 
march.  We  passed,  indeed,  one  or  two  houses  in  ad- 
dition to  those  already  mentioned,  and  it  may  be  ob- 
served, tho.t  they  were  all  inhabited  by  German  emi- 
grants ;  but  nothing  occurred,  either  there  or  elsewhere, 
calculated  to  excite  an  interest  at  the  time,  or  to  make 
an  impression  upon  the  memory.     Towards  four  or  five 


A    SUBALTEHN   IN   AMERICA. 


The  reader 
ndividual  to 
ears.  "  Do 
e  is  of  little 
e;  but  I  be- 
uch  you  ac- 
%  Ke  was 
I  him  so  far 
and  I  could 
dby  this  ap- 
to  ascertain 
/as  perfectly 
)t  a  breath 
state  of  his 
ted,  that  life 
ago.  "  My 
3ar,  been  of 
njury  either 
:es.  Tliere 
rm ;  go  and 
g  the  youth, 
y  to  do  with 

enture  wor- 
[ider  of  our 
>uses  in  ad- 
may  be  ob- 
erman  emi- 
r  elsewhere, 
or  to  make 
!  four  or  five 


»'clock 


147 


the  afternoon,  however,  the  face  of  affairs 
underwent  a  change.  We  then  began  to  perceive  w 
a  thousand  palpable  signs,  that  we  lere    r^w  nTlar 

:^/aro:;r'^^^^^"^  -''-^  ^  ^"  eventir:: 

IhTrh^^Tf^^  '  """''  P"P"^°"«  district  than  any 
-h,ch  we  had  yet  passed.     The  woods  suddenly  ceTs 
J,  we  found  ourselves  in  the  midst  of  open  cornfie 
and  well-cleared  meadows;  hedgerows  and  Ion.  ,  tj 
of  pahng  .mpeded  our  progress;  and  farm-hous"s,  "th 
the  r  barns,  steadings,  stack-yards,  and  other     mZ 
met  us  at  almost  every  step.     There  was  no  room  S 
-ubt,  as  to  the  cause  of  this  change  in  the  aspect  of 
external  nature ;  Baltimo,  •  could  not  be  far  off,-irdeed 
had  not  proceeded  above  half  a  mile  thr;ugh  th  ! 
^f'stnct  when  our  guides,  pointing  to  a  range  of  hi 
mmed,ately  in  our  front,  informed  us,  that  bfhind  the^ 
'ay  the  c,ty  devoted  by  us  to  destruction.     .      "ment^ 
-vey  of  these  hills  served,  however,  to  con  W 
that  somethmg  more  than  a  mere  continuance  of  ou 

Z1  T''.'^  ^'^^"^^-^  to  make  the  prize  our 'r 
The  heights  m  question  were  occupied  by  an  army  o 

W,cans,-  and  such  were  their  number's,  as     I ;! 

nd  12  :  "^^"^^  ^'  '''  J^-P-^^tions  which  they 
ad  made  for  our  reception,  that  the  least  skilful  amongst 
s    eeame  mstantly  aware,  that  some  hard  fighting,'! 

veil  as  jud,cious  management,  must  be  dispfaved   be 
Tore  we  could  hope  to  force  this  position.  '     ' 

aciZ  "f  "'^'  ''^'^"''  '^'"  ^'  ^S"°^^^"t  that  Baltimore 
a  city  contammg  about  forty  thousand  inhabitants  s72 
"Poa  both  banks  of  the  Patapsco,  about  tw" 
from  the  pomt  where  that  river  falls  into  the  Chesa'peak 


148 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


■i  *■« 


On  the  right  bank  of  the  stream,  that  by  which  we  now 
approached,  it  is  girdled  in  by  a  range  of  hills,  which, 
beginning  at  the  edge  of  the  water,  sweeps  round  almost 
in  a  circle  about  the  town.     To  such,  therefore,  as  ad- 
vance upon  it  in  this  direction,  it  is  accordingly  quite 
invisible,  till  they  gain  the  summit  of  the  heights ;  and 
as  we  were  not  permitted  to  attain  that  eminence,  it 
continued  to  us  invisible  to  the  last.     Under  such  cir- 
cumstances it  is  of  course  impossible  for  me  to  attempt 
any  description  of  its  streets,  squares,  or  public  build- 
ings ;  all  of  which  are,  I  doubt  not,  worthy  of  the  moijt 
minute  delineation  which  the  pen  of  a  finished  traveller 
could  draw  out ;  but  I  can  say  something  of  the  defen- 
ces, by  means  of  which  this  greatest  of  all  the  ports  of 
the  Chesapeake  was  protected ;  and  as  an  account  of 
these  may  prove  not  uninteresting  to  my  readers,  I  pro- 
ceed to  give  it. 

The  approach  to  Baltimore  by  water,  is  defended  by 
two  forts,  one  on  each  side  of  the  river.     The  fort  on 
the  right  bank,  which  mounts  some  twenty  guns,  formed, 
on  the  present  occasion,  the  extreme  left  of  the  enemy's 
position,  which  extended  along  the  face  of  the  hills,  di- 
rectly across  the  road,  and  ended  at  a  redoubt,  thrown 
up  for  the  purpose,  just  where  the  hills  bend  back  upon 
the  town.     In  the  centre,  between  these  two  covering 
redoubts,  batteries,  breast- works, /ecAcs,  and  traverses 
were  thrown  up;  where  time  had  not  been  granted  for 
this,  deep  ditches  were  dug — and  stakes  and  palisadoes 
completed  the  entrenchments,  which  mud-banks  and 
parapets  had  begun.     In  the  range  of  these  works  were 
mounted  one  hundred  and  twenty  pieces  of  ordnance, 


t 


lich  we  now 
liills,  which, 
•ound  almost 
sfore,  as  ad- 
■diogly  quite 
leights;  and 
eminence,  it 
ler  such  cir- 
16  to  attempt 
public  build- 
er of  the  moijt 
ihed  traveller 
of  the  defen- 
l  the  ports  of 
n  account  of 
eaders,  I  pro- 

3  defended  by 

The  fort  on 

guns,  formed, 

f  the  enemy's 

f  the  hills,  di- 

doubt,  thrown 

nd  back  upon 

two  covering 

and  traverses 

m  granted  for 

md  palisadoes 

ud-banks  and 

se  works  were 

of  ordnance, 


A  SUBALTERN  IN  AMERICA.  149 

mny  Of  them  twenty-four  and  thirty.two  pounders 

fltt  ToTur^r:?'^  '''  ^'^'^^^^  -amen  fro^'The 
fleet.  To  support  this  powerful  artillery,  some  twenty 
thousand  mfantry  vere  under  arms,  and  of  thete  2 
greater  numbers  were,  as  might  be  expected,  milirm 
but  as  far  as  we  could  learn,  there  were  full  five  thou 
-sand  troops  of  the  line  who  had  been  called  in  bu  Td 
amved  too  late  for  the  defence  of  the  capital.  Out 
valry      never  happened  to  hear  what  force  was  be/bre 

e  ves  at  Bladensburg  were  here,  and  perhaps  they  were 
remforced  by  some  local  troops;  but  I  will  not  ven.u  e 
a  conjecture  as  to  their  number,  because  I  posses,  no 
ground  upon  which  to  frame  it.     I  do  not  think,  how! 
ever,  that  I  shall  err  greatly  from  the  truth,  if  I  con- 
elude  that  two-and-twenty  thousand  men,  with  upwards 
of  a  hundred  heavy  cannon,  now  stood  in  a  position 
naturally  strong,  and  rendered  doubly  so  by  entrench' 
ments,  to  oppose  the  efforts  of  five  thousand  infantry 
with  eight  pieces  of  light  artillery.     The  odds  we  J 
unquestionably  tremendous;  yet  sure  I  am  that  I  speak 
the  sentiments  of  the  whole  army,  when  I  aver  that  the 
order  to  halt,  and  take  up  ground  for  the  night,  whirh 
was  issued  almost  as  soon  as  the  enemy  became  visible 
was  received  with  one  feeling,  and  one  feeling  onlv,  that' 
of  bitter,  I  had  almost  said  indignant  regret!       ' 

The  march  of  the  column  this  day  had  been  more 
dehbera  e  than  usual.  The  enemy,  by  fellin.  tre  ' 
across  the  road  at  various  points,  had  contrived  to  ret 
der  the  progress  of  the  artillery  somewhat  difficult;  and 
hence,  though  we  began  our  journey  as  early  as  seven 


150 


▲  SUBALTEBN   IN   AMERICA^ 


Fif- 


o'clock  in  the  morning,  it  was  found,  at  five  in  the  af* 
ternoon,  tha*  little  more  than  ten  or  twelve  miles  had 
been  compassed.  To  us,  however,  who  had  forced  our 
way  through  brake  and  brier,  diverging,  in  a  multitude 
of  instances,  from  the  straight  direction,  the  march  ap- 
peared sufficiently  long;  and  seeing  that  we  were  not 
about  to  be  led  into  action,  no  man  regretted  the  order 
which  consigned  him  to  repose.  But  in  the  rest  which 
was  granted  to  our  comrades,  Charlton  and  I  took  no 
part.  It  again  fell  to  our  lot  to  be  put  in  charge  of  a 
picquet ;  and  hence,  we  had  no  sooner  rejoined  the  main 
body  with  our  followers,  than  we  were  directed  to  move 
off  towards  the  right,  where  our  station  for  the  night 
was  assigned  us. 


II 


1) 


A   SOBALTlRir   IK   AKSSICA. 


161 


CHAPTER  Xlir. 


rHEPARATIONS    FOB    ATTACKING    THE    AMEHICAN    EN- 

TRENCHMENTS SUDDEN    RETREAT AND    RE- 

EMBARKATION. 

We  had  hardly  taken  possession  of  the  post  allotted 
to  us,  when  the  rain,  which  during  the  whole  of  the  day 
had  ceased,  began  again  to  fall  with  renewed  violence  • 
.t  unfortunately  happened,  too,  that  there  was  nothing 
wahm  our  reach  which  we  could  oppose  to  it.     Our 
•^'tafon  was  at  the  edge  of  a  belt  of  oaks,  that  cut  off 
one  porfon  of  a  large  field  from  another,  and  our  ad- 
vanced sentinels  were  planted  about  half-musket-shot 
in  front  of  us.     But  the  branches  of  the  trees  were  not 
sufficiently  close  to  afford  the  slirhtest  shelter  nor  was 
there  a  hovel  or  shed  of  any  kind,  under  which  we  could 
retire.     To  add  to  our  miseries,  both  the  officers'  cloaks 
and  the  men's  blankets,  having  been  kept  behind,  we 
«-ere  denied  the  means  of  keeping  ourselves  ordinarily 
warm;  whilst  it  was  not  without  much  difficulty  that 
we  succeeded  in  getting  a  fire  to  blaze.     The  wood 
within  our  reach  was  all  green    the  rain  of  last  night 
had  completely  soaked  it  and  it  more  than  once  occur- 


--■■^-*^a*.-««iArw.iii 


fli 


152 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA, 


red  that  the  sheets  of  water  which  poured  down  from 
the  clouds,  extinguished  in  a  moment  the  spark  which 
we  had  wasted  a  full  quarter  of  an  hour  in  coaxing  into 
life.  At  last,  however,  our  patience  received  its  reward, 
and  a  couple  of  fires,  roaring  and  crackling  beneath  the 
green  wood,  had  the  double  effect  of  increasing  our  bo- 
dily ease,  and  elevating  our  spirits. 

About  a  couple  of  hundred  yards  in  front  of  our  vi- 
dettes,  stood  a  mansion  of  considerable  size,  and  gen- 
teel exterior,  upon  which  we  cast  many  a  longing  look, 
without  venturing  for  some  time  to  approach  it.     That 
a  place  so  neat  in  all  its  arrangements,  and  so  well  sup- 
plied with  out-houses  of  every  description,  could  be 
wholly  devoid  of  the  necessaries  and  comforts  of  life, 
was  a  matter  which  we  were  very  unwilling  to  believe. 
Withou^  doubt,  the  pens  that  stood  at  its  western  gable 
contained  their  due  quantity  of  pigs,— the  hen-roosts 
could  not  be  all  tenantless,~and  the  flights  of  pigeons, 
which  went  and  came,  gave  decisive  proof  that  the  dove- 
cot had  not  been  built  for  purposes  of  empty  show. 
Neither  was  it  nrobable  that  the  larder  would  be  abso- 
lutely cleared  out,  or  the  cellars  totally  empty.     Our 
very  mouths  watered  as  these  reflections  occurred  to  us ; 
and  at  last  it  was  determined  that,  at  all  hazards,  the 
mansion  in  question  should  be  examined. 

The  charge  of  conducting  the  search  fell,  as  it  was 
proper  that  it  should  fall,  upon  me,  as  the  junior,-  and 
I  set  ofl;  attended  by  four  men,  to  eflfect  it.  Being  as- 
sured  by  the  sentries  th^.i  no  Americans  had  shown 
themselves  there  since  they  assumed  their  posts,  we 
pushed  on  without  much  apprehension,  and  our  satis. 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA.  153 

faction  was  far  from  being  slight  when  we  found  that 
the  house  was  empty.     But  the  satisfaction  arising  from 
that  source,  suffered  a  very  considerable  diminution 
when,  on  proceeding  to  look  round  for  the  viands,  in 
quest  of  which  we  had  come,  nothing  of  the  kind  could 
be  found.     There  was  not  a  pig,  fowl,  or  other  livinff 
creature  about  the  place.     The  pigeons  alone,  of  all  the 
stock  upon  the  farm,  remained,  and  thev  were  a  great 
deal  too  wary  not  to  baffle  every  effort  which  was  made 
to  surprise  them.     Disappointed  and  chagrined  at  an 
^v-em  so  little  anticipated,  we  were  preparing  to  quit  the 
■nhosp.tabic  domicile,  when  a  whole  crowd  of  stra^. 
glcrs,  artillerymen,  sappers,  sailors,  and  soldiers  of  the 
Imo,  rushed  into  the  hall.     In  a  moment  the  wall«  of 
the  building  re-echoed  with  oaths  and  exclamations, 
and   fables,  chairs,  windows,  and  even   doors,  were 
dashed  to  pieces,  in  revenge  for  the  absence  of  food. 
By  and  by,  however,  a  shout  of  joy  was  heard.     Like 
tliosc  about  us,  we  ran  in  the  direction  of  the  sound 
and  beheld,  through  a  chasm  in  a  brick  wall   under 
ground,  the  interior  of  a  wine  cellar,  set  round  in  mag- 
nificent  array,  with  bottles  of  all  shapes  and  dimensions. 
Die  Wily  Yankee  to  whom  this  house  belonged,  unable 
or  unwilling  to  remove  his  wine,  had  adopted  the  com- 
mon  precaution  of  fclocking  up  the  entrance  to  his  vaults 
with  brick-work.     But  the  absence  of  all  uniformitv 
between  the  old  and  the  new  masonry  failed  not  to  strike 
one  of  our  soldiers  wh.>  passed  by  it;  and  applying  the 
but-end  of  his  musket  to  the  portion   which  seemed  to 
l>ave  been  last  thrown  up,  he  easily  forced  a  few  bricks 
out  of  their  places.     An  exclamation  indicative  of  the 
14* 


154 


A   80BALTBRN   IN   AMERICA. 


highest  degree  of  pleasure,  instantly  gave  notice  that 
some  great  discovery  had  been  effected ;  it  drew  the 
whole  of  us  to  the  spot,  and  in  five  minutes,  the  cellar 
was  crowded  with  men,  filling,  in  the  first  place^  their 
own  haversacks  and  bosoms,  and  then  handing  out  hot- 
ties,  with  the  utmost  liberality,  to  their  comrades.  In 
less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  not  a  single  pint,  either 
of  wine  or  spirits,  remained  out  of  all  this  magnificent 
stock. 

Well  pleased  with  the  issue  of  our  undertaking,  wo 
retraced  our  steps  to  the  picquet,  where  we  were  re- 
ceived with  the  cordiality  which  our  burden  was  calcu- 
lated  to  produce.  There  the  spirits  were  equally  di- 
vided,  and  the  men  receiving  their  due  proportion,  there 
fell  to  the  share  of  Charlton  and  myself  a  flask  of  ex- 
quisite  cogniac,  with  two  magnums  of  superior  Bour- 
deaux.  With  the  help  of  these,  we  contrived  to  make 
a  very  comfortable  meal  upon  salt  pork  and  biscuit, 
which  alone  remained  to  us,  and  then  lighting  our 
pipes,  we  sat  down  by  the  side  of  the  fire,  in  a  state  of 
excessive  moisture,  it  is  true,  but  still  of  considerable 
enjoyment. 

By  this  time  darkness  began  rapidly  to  set  in,  and 
the  scene  acquired  every  moment  more  and  more  of 
interest  and  sublimity..  The  rain  still  fell,  though  not 
with  so  much  violence  as  it  had  fallen  a  little  while 
ago ;  whilst  the  wind  rising  by  fits  and  starts,  waved 
over  the  flat,  and  whistled  through  the  wood  in  violent 
gusts.  The  clouds  rushed  before  it,  and  totally  ob- 
scured, from  time  to  time,  a  young  moon,  which  seem- 
ed  to  struggle  against  their  supremacy,  and  then  di- 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA.  155 

viding  into  their  grey  fleeces,  suffered  her  for  a  mo 
mcnt  to  smile  out  upon  the  storm.    But  it  was  not  in 
tlK.  operations  of  nature  alone  that  we  found  much  to 
admire.    Our  outposts,  extending  in  a  sort  of  curve. 
permitted  us,  who  occupied  one  of  the  extreme  flanks 
to  look  at  once  upon  the  fires,  both  of  the  British  and 
American  armies,  and  the  effect  of  these,  in  a  dark  and 
empestuous  night  like  the  present,  was  in  the  highest 
degree  striking.     Our  troops  lay  all  along  the  plain: 
in  part  among  the  wood  which  skirted  the  open  coun' 
try,  in  part  upon  the  open  country  itself;  and  their  or- 
der probably  through  motives  of  policy,  was  as  loose 
and  scattered  as  a  due  regard  to  safety  would  permit. 
The  consequence  was,  that  their  fires  stretched  out  in 
a  single  line,  presented  an  appearance  far  more  impo. 
smg,  than  if  they  had  been  confined,  as  usual,  to  one 
or  two  spots.     On  the  part  of  the  Americans  again 
here  was  no  need  for  any  artificial  extension.     Their 
fires  ran  along  the  whole  face  of  the  hill.     Like  our 
own  they  were  arranged  in  a  sort  of  semicircle,  only 
the  horns  of  their  crescent,  instead  of  advancing,  fell 
back,  on  both  sides  from  the  centre.     It  was  impossi- 
ble  not  to  feel  the  contrast,  which  the  dense  arrange- 
ment  of  their  bivouac  presented,  to  the  scattered  and 
somewhat  irregular  disposition  of  ours.     That  they 
surpassed  us  in  numbers,  at  least  threefold,  we  had  all 
along  been  aware;  the  very  nature  and  extent  of  their 
works  were,  of  themselves,  sufficient  to  prove  this;  but 
I  arn  not  sure  that  the  knowledge  of  that  superiority 
produced  its  full  effect,  till  after  the  establishment  of 
the  two  camps  for  the  night  had  brought  it  completely 


156 


A   tUBALTBBN   IN    AMEBIC  A. 


f 


f 


/ii 


home  to  us.  Yet  there  was  not  a  man  amongst  us  vv  ho 
entertained  a  doubt  as  to  the  issue  of  the  battle,  let  it 
begin  when  it  might.  We  despised  the  Yankees  from 
our  hearta,  and  only  longed  for  an  opportunity  to  show 
them  how  easily  they  could  be  beaten. 

Nor  was  this  eager  desire  to  engage  the  mere  off- 
spring of  an  impetuosity,  which  British  soldiers  always 
experience  when  in  the  presence  of  an  enemy.     It  had 
been  explained  to  us,  that  as  soon  as  a  communication 
could  be  opened  between  the  army  and  the  fleet,  of 
which  all  the  bombs,  and  many  of  the  lighter  frigates, 
were  in  the  river,  an  attack  upon  the  American  linos 
would  be  made.     This  was  to  begin  with  a  heavy  fire 
on  the  right,  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  to  that  part  the 
principal  share  of  Jonathan's  attack ;  after  which,  the 
85th  regiment,  and  the  seamen,  supported  by  the  4th 
and  44th,  were  to  penetrate  the  left  silently,  and  with 
the  bayonet.     Having  overcome   all    opposition,    the 
column  was  to  wheel  up  upon  the  summit  of  the  ridge, 
to  remain  stationary  till  dawn;  and  then  taking  the 
whole  of  the  works  in  flank,  to  carry  them  one  by  one 
in  detail.     But  everything;  it  was  understood,  must  de- 
pend upon  the  ability  of  the  fleet  to  co-operate.     There 
was,  upon  the  extreme  right  of  the  American  position,  a 
strong  post,  well  supplied  with  heavy  ordnance.      To 
pass  it  by  unheeded,  would  be,  our  leaders  conceived, 
to  expose  the  attacking  column,  even  should  it  succeed 
in  the  dark,  to  certain  destruction,  as  soon  as  dayli^l.t 
enabled  the  artillery  to  play ;  whilst   to   attempt  it  by 
escalade,  was  esteemed  a  project  too  hazardous.     To 
the  fleet  it  was  accordingly  left,  which,  by  bombard- 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA.  167 

ment,  would,  it  was  presumed,  reduce  it  to  ruins  in  a 
few  liours;  and  the  commencement  of  a  serious  can. 
nonade  from  the  river,  was  to  be  the  signal  for  a  gen. 
era!  movement  in  line. 

Thus  instructed,  the  reader  will  easily  believe,  that 
as  hour  after  hour  stole  on,  we  turned  our  gaze,  with 
tevensh  anxiety,  towards  the  river.    All,  however 
continued  as  it  had  been  before.     No  flash  told  that' 
the  shippmg  had  taken  their  stations;  the  noise  of 
finng  was  unheard,  and  the  most  serious  apprehensions 
began  to  be  entertained,  that  the  plan  had,  for  some 
cause  or  another,  miscarried.     At  last,  when  midnight 
was  close  at  hand,  a  solitary  report,  accompanied  by 
the  ascension  of  a  small  bright  spark  into  the  sky,  gave 
notice  that  the  bombardment  had  begun.     Another 
and  another  followed  in  quick  succession;  and  now 
every  man  instinctively  sprung  from  the  earth,  and 
grasped  his  arms.     The  point  to  be  passed  was,  we 
well  knew,  in  our  immediate  front.     We  were  aware, 
that  m  forcing  it,  our  detachment  would  take  the  lead : 
and  we  listened,  in  breathless  attention,  for  the  coming 
up  of  the  column  which  had  been  appointed  to  support 
us.    Our  ears,  too,  were  on  the  stretch  for  the  mus- 
ketry  which  ought  soon  to  be  heard  in  the  opposite  di, 
rection ;  in  a  word,  we  stood  in  our  ranks  for  a  full 
hour,  under  the  influence  of  that  state  of  excitation, 
Avhich,  while  it  locks  up  the  faculty  of  speech,  renders 
the  senses,  both  of  sight  and  hearing,  acute  to  an  al- 
most  unnatural  degree. 

Such  was  our  situation,  both  of  body  and  mind, 
from  midnight,  when  the  ships  began  to  open  their  fire. 


I 


158 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AHEBICA. 


M  v 


up  to  the  hour  of  two.  That  all  things  went  not  pros- 
perously, was  manifest  enough.  The  precious  time, 
at  least,  was  escaping  us ;  and  for  that  loss  we  all  felt 
that  nothing  could  make  amends;  but  we  were  far  from 
anticipating  the  total  change  of  resolution  which  had 
occurred,  and  of  which  we  were  so  soon  to  receive 
proofs  the  most  decisive.  At  last,  when  murmurs,  "  not 
loud  but  deep,"  began  to  pass  from  man  to  man,  an  aid- 
de-camp  arrived,  and  our  sentries  were  ordered  to  be 
called  in.  This  being  effected,  we  prf^ceeded,  under  his 
guidance,  towards  the  left;  till,  being  arrived  at  the  high 
road,  we  found  the  whole  army  in  marching  order,  and, 
to  our  inexpressible  astonishment,  preparing  to  with- 
draw. The  column  was  formed,  as  soldiers  express 
themselves,  left  in  front ;  and  the  men's  faces  were  then 
towards  the  shipping. 

It  is  impossible  for  me  to  convey  any  idea  of  the  dis- 
appointment, or  rather  humiliation,  experienced  and  ex- 
pressed by  persons  of  all  ranks,  when  it  became  ap- 
parent that  a  retreat  was  determined  upon.  It  was  no 
consolation  to  us  to  be  told,  that  the  frigates  had  been 
unable  to  force  their  way  within  cannon-shot  of  the  ene- 
my's works,  and  that  even  the  bombardment  of  which 
we  had  been  spectators,  proved  all  but  harmless  to  those 
against  whom  it  was  directed.  We  could  not  beiievc 
that  our  success  depended,  in  any  essential  degree,  upon 
the  operations  of  the  navy.  What  were  the  American 
entrenchments  to  us?  In  the  first  place,  the  most  un- 
practised eye  could  not  fail  to  perceive,  that  of  the  field- 
works  begun,  not  one  had  arrived  at  completion;  and 
the  most  ignorant  in  the  art  of  war  is  aware,  that  in 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AXfCRICAi 


160 


works  only  half  defensible  troops  repose  very  little  con. 
fidence.     In  the  next  place,  no  truth  can  be  more  ap. 
parent,  than  that,  in  all  night-operations,  a  compact  body 
of  veterans,  well-disciplined  and  orderly,  arc  at  all  times 
an  overmatch  for  whole  crowds  of  raw  levies.     Per- 
haps our  leaders  acted  prudently  in  deferring  the  mo- 
ment  of  attack  till  after  nightfall.     By  doing  so,  they 
at  all  events  rendered  the  enemy's  superiority  in  artil- 
lery of  no  avail;  but  why  the  plan  of  a  night-attack 
should  be  given  up,  because  a  single  redoubt  escaped 
cannonading  from  the  river,  we  could  not  divine.     Our 
business,  however,  was  a  simple  one;  we  had  only  to 
obey;  not,  indeed,  wuli  the  same  satisfaction  which 
would  have  marked  our  obedience  of  other  orders,  but 
promptly,  and  in  good  spirits. 

It  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  companies  which  had  furnish, 
ed  the  picquets,  to  perform,  on  the  present  occasion,  the 
office  of  a  rear-guard.  Among  these  our  company  took 
Its  station ;  and  as  we  were  commanded  not  to  move  till 
daylight  began  to  break,  we  no  sooner  saw  the  column 
fairly  set  out,  than  we  gathered  round  a  large  fire  by 
the  roud-side,  and  sat  down.  There  still  remained  in 
our  flask  some  portion  of  the  cogniac,  a  few  crumbs  of 
biscuit  lay  about  the  recesses  of  our  wallets;  and  upon 
them,  early  as  it  was,  we  proceeded  to  make  our  rude 
meal,  lest  an  opportunity  of  so  doing  should  not  occur 


agam. 


At  last,  a  few  faint  streaks  of  dawn  showing  them- 
selves  in  the  eastern  sky,  our  sentries  were  called  in, 
our  men  took  their  stations,  and  the  retreat  began.  To 
guard  against  surprisal,  two  file?,  each  at  the  distance 


I 


160 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


I 


1    M 


'I 


11 


of  thirty  or  forty  paces  from  the  other,  were  command- 
ed to  move  about  fifty  or  sixty  yards  in  rear  of  the  com- 
pany. Six  other  files,  three  on  each  side  of  the  way, 
swept  the  woods  as  a  sort  of  flank  patrol ;  whilst  the 
body  of  the  company,  amounting  to  exactly  twenty- 
four  men,  proceeded  in  column.  Of  the  rest  of  the 
army  we  saw  nothing ;  it  had  set  out  a  full  hour  and  a 
half  before  us;  although  it  necessarily  moved  more 
slowly  than  us,  we  could  hardly  expect  to  overtake  it 
till  it  should  halt.  But  so  little  were  we  apprehensive 
of  pursuit,  that  the  idea  of  being  cut  off  never  once  oc- 
curred to  us ;  and  hence  we  were  not  altogether  so  care- 
ful  in  providing  against  such  an  accident  as  we  ought 
to  have  been.  We  were,  however,  taught,  before  the 
day's  journey  came  to  a  close,  that  things  do  occasion- 
ally happen  which  have  not  been  anticipated. 

The  storm  of  wind  and  rain  having  died  away,  our 
march  became,  before  long,  exceedingly  agreeable.  Of 
the  country  through  which  we  now  travelled,  none  of 
us  during  the  advance  had  seen  anything;  the  scenery 
accordingly  possessed  all  the  attractions  which  novelty 
bestows.  The  road,  too,  though  sandy,  was  a  good 
one,  and  the  late  moisture  rendered  it  better  than  it  had 
been  before,  by  hardening  it ;  whilst  the  trees,  bonding 
over  from  both  sides,  afforded  an  agreeable  shelter  from 
the  sun's  rays,  which  soon  began  to  beat  upon  us  some- 
what powerfully.  With  all  these  pleasant  circumstan- 
ces  about  us,  it  was  but  natural  that  we  should  trudge 
on  in  excellent  humour.  But  the  carelessness  to  which, 
as  our  distance  from  the  enemy's  lines  increased,  we 
began  to  give  way,  suddenly  received  its  chastisement, 


A  SUBAITEBN  IN  AMERICA.  Igj 

.nd  our  auontion  was  drawn  from  lighter  topics  to  the 
iciportam  business  of  our  duty. 

It  might  be  noon,  or  a  little  past  it,  and  we  were  ap. 

proaclung  the  seene  of  the  action  of  the  IS.h,  when  a 

shou,  from  the  Hies  in  the  rear,  followed  by  the  dis! 

h  rge  0  a  couple  of  muskets,  attracted  our  attention. 

allowed  for  any  regub-  formation,  ere  a  troop  of  some 
twenty  or  thu-ty  horse  dashed  round  an  an.ie  of  the 
road,  and,  sword  in  h„.,j,  g„||„,,ped  towards  us.  "To 

«c  could  g,ve;  the  men  understood  it,-  and  spring, 
ome  ,0  the  r.ght,  and  ethers  to  the  led  of  the  way,°they 
throw  themselves  into  the  wood,  where  .he  cavalry  cm, M 
m  reach  them.    Then  was  a  fire  opened,  whieh Tn  f 
nee  brought  men  and  horses  to  the  ground,     nj. 
airy  paused ;  one  or  twoattempted,  with  great  bravery 
'"  "^T  ■■'■";  h-^es  into  the  thickets,  and  two  of  oT 
people,  who  chanced  to  be  more  exposed  than  their  com 
ndes,  w:cre  sabred.    But  the  a-ann  having  spr  ad  To 
1.0  man,  body,  now  not  far  ahead  of  us,  a  b^vLcrtnd 
a  lield.gun  came  at  full  speed  to  our  assistance.     The 
Amencans  waited  „o,  for  the  guns  to  open.     Instantly 
.at  they  appeared  every  man  turned  his  head,  and  as 
«.ey  rode  for  hfe  and  death  our  gunners  had  ^.ly  an 
opportunity  of  firing  tw^  shots.  ^ 

Ignorant  as  we  necessarily  were,  whether  the  corns 

guatd  of  the  whole  American  army,  or  was  a  mere  pa. 
ol,  sent  out  to  track  our  steps  and  ascertain  our  plans 
«  broke  net  at  once  into  rnarohing-order  as  soon  ^ 


;^ 


--rv 


162 


A  StBALTEBN  IN  AMERICA. 


!        ! 


had  disappeared.  On  the  contrary,  the  whole  force 
drew  up  in  two  lines ;  the  artillery  took  its  station,  and 
every  arrangement  was  made  for  fighting  a  general  ac- 
tion on  the  spot.  But  nothing  farther  being  seen  or 
heard  of  the  assailants,  all  hope  of  bringing  matters  to 
that  desirable  issue  was  laid  aside,  and  the  brigades, 
one  by  one,  took  the  road,  as  they  had  done  before.  A 
recognisance  was,  indeed,  instituted ;  that  is  to  say,  the 
rear-guard,  supported  by  two  pieces  of  cannon,  and  four 
additional  companies  of  infantry,  retraced  its  steps  about 
a  mile,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  with  accuracy 
how  matters  stood ;  but  they  meeting  with  nothing 
to  excite  their  interest,  they  too  turned  back,  and  fol- 
lowed their  comrades  unmolested. 

The  rest  of  our  journey  was  performed  without  the 
occtirrance  of  any  remarkable  incident.  Wo  passed, 
as  we  were  necessiatcd  to  pass,  our  yesterday's  position, 
where  men  and  officers  recovered  the  cloaks  and  blank- 
ets which  had  been  left  behind ;  and  we  saw  the  dead 
lying  as  they  lay  on  the  evening  of  the  action,  still  un- 
buricd.  Many  had,  however,  undergone  the  process 
of  stripping,  though  by  whom  it  was  impossible  for  us 
to  guess ;  and  all  were  beginning  to  emit  an  odour  the 
reverse  of  acceptable  to  delicate  organs;  but  we  could 
not  pause  to  give  them  sepulture  ;  and  both  the  sight 
and  smell  were  too  familiar  to  affect  us  very  deeply. 
We  pushed  on,  and  arriving  about  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  at  a  convenient  piece  of  ground,  a  halt  M'as 
ordered.  There  all  the  customary  arrangements  of 
lighting  fires,  piling  arms,  and  i)lanting  outposts,  were 
gone  through ;  and  here,  under  the  shelter  of  gipsy- 


A  SUBALTERN   IN  AMERICA. 


163 


tents,  composed  of  blankets  and  the  ramrods  of  mu». 
kets,  we  passed  the  night. 

It  is  not  necessary  that  I  should  continue  the  detail 
of  our  subsequent  operations  very  minutely.     Enough 
is  done  when  I  state,  that  on  the  following  morning,  as 
soon  as  broad  daylight  came  in,  the  retreat  was  res'um. 
ed  and  that  we  arrived  about  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  at 
a  position  which  promised  to  furnish  every  facility' for 
a  safe  re-embarkation.     The  boats  were  already  on  the 
beach  in  groat  numbers ;  a  couple  of  gun-brigs  were 
moored,  as  before,  within  cable's  length  of  the  shorej 
and  the  sailors,  in  crowds,  were  waiting  to  receive  us, 
and  to  coiivcy  us  to  our  respective  vessels.     No  liearty 
cheering,  liowcvcr,  gave  notice  this  time  of  the  satis- 
faction  of  these  brave  fellows  with  the  results  of  the  ex. 
pedition.     On  the  contrary,  a  solemn  silence  prevailed 
among  them;   and  even  the   congratulations,  on  tho 
safe  return  of  their  individual  acquaintances,  were  ac- 
companicd  by  an  expression  of  deep  sorrow  for  the  loss 
of  General  Ross,  and  the  profitless  issue  of  the  inroad. 
In  this  humour  they  conducted  us,  regiment  by  regi. 
ment  to  the  boats ;  and  the  evening  was  as  yet  very 
little  advanced,  when  ihe  whole  army,  with  all  its  ma- 
terial and  stores,  found  itself  again  lodged  on  board  of 
ship. 


>  'i 


mC  /^m^mmmiis 


164 


▲  SVBALTEKN  IN   AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


^ 


\   r. 


The  feelings  which  took  possession  of  us  now  were 
similar  in  their  nature,  though  perhaps  less  vivid,  than 
those  which  had  come  into  pluy  after  the  re-shipment 
of  the  expedition  to  Washington.  At  first,  the  change 
from  constant  excitement  to  absolute  rest,  was  received 
as  a  positive  boon ;  by  and  by  the  sameness  of  the  rest 
itself  became  a  thousand  degrees  more  irksome  than  its 
very  opposite.  During  the  remainder  of  the  day  which 
witnessed  our  return  to  the  transport  we  were,  upon, 
the  whole,  happy  enough ;  that  is,  we  enjoyed  the  lux- 
ury of  clean  linen,  a  social  dinner,  and  a  cheerful  glass 
of  wine  after  it.  But  the  day  after  rose  somewhat 
heavily,  and  it  became  more  and  more  heavy  as  it  pro- 
ceeded on  its  course.  There  was  nothing  whatever  to 
be  done.  The  weather  chanced  to  be  singularly  un- 
genial ;  the  rain  fell  in  torrents  and  the  cold — or  rath- 
er the  damp  chill  was  excessively  disagreeable.  Of 
course,  there  was  no  such  thing  as  walking  the  deck ; 
and  our  wretched  library  had  long  ago  become  an  ob- 
ject of  loathing  to  most  of  us.  For  my  own  part,  as 
soon  as  I  had  finished  my  letters  for  England,  and 


i^jirt-**.  -wijrt;*^;^^^ 


A   SUnALTEKN   IN   AMERICA. 


16^5 


IS  now  were 
I  vivid,  than 
re-shipment 
the  change 
•as  received 
s  of  the  rest 
onie  than  its 
e  day  which 
ivcrc,  upon, 
fed  the  lux- 
icerful  glass 
:  somewhat 
^y  as  it  pro- 
whatever  to 
gularly  un- 
J — or  rath- 
^cable.  Of 
I  the  deck; 
)me  an  ob- 
ivn  part,  as 
igland,  and 


; 


played  a  game  or  two  at  chess,  I  went  fairly  to  bed 
and  slept  or  rather  dozed  confusedly  till  dinner  was 
announced. 

In  mercy  to  us,  a  fine  breeze  sprang  up  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  17th,  and  the  rain  ceasing,  the  weather 
again  smiled  upon  us  in  all  the  luxuriance  of  the  west- 
ern hemisphere.    The  dock  was  accordingly  converted 
to  its  old  uses ;  and  a  regular  promenade  from  the  taf- 
frel  to  the  mizen-mast,  and  from  the  mizen-mast  to  the 
tafFrcl,  was  cstablislied.     A  rumour,  likewise,  some- 
how  or  another  got  into  circulation,  that  a  large  fleet, 
containing  ten  thousand  fresh  troops,  with  Sir  Rowland, 
now  Lord  Hill,  to  command  them,  had  been  seen  and 
spoken  to  off  the  entrance  of  the  bay.    It  will  bo.easily 
believed,  that  a  piece  of  intelligence  so  desirable  was 
received  with  every  demonstration  of  extravagant  joy. 
With  such  a  force,  and  such  a  leader,  we  all  felt,  that 
there  was  nothing  which  we  would  not  readily  attempt, 
and  hardly  anything  which  we  could  not  easily  accom- 
plish   and   if  a  whimper  of  a  complaint  was  heard  at 
all,  it  rose  only  from  the  idea,  that  had  the  reinforce- 
ments  come  in  but  a  week  earlier,  we  should  have  been 
now  in  quarters  in  Baltimore,  and  the  gallant  Ross 
alive.     Ncvorthclcss  we  were  philosophers  enough  to 
rest  satisfied,  that  an  event  in  itself  so  fortunate  would 
never  occur  out  of  due  time  ;  and  we  soon  brought  our- 
selves to  believe,  that  a  day  or  two  at  the  fiirthest 
would  see  us  again  on  shore,  and  that  Baltimore  would 
not,  after  all,  escape  its  visitation. 

We  were  in  this  ardent  fmmc  of  mind  when  about 
eleven  o'clock  in  tlic  forenoon,  the  Admiral  fired  a  sig- 
15* 


166 


A  SUBALTERN   IN   AMEEICA. 


nal 


•gun,  and  the  fleet  got  under  weigh. 


The  breeze 
naa  oy  this  time  increased  to  a  pretty  strong  gale ; 
but  as  it  blew  in  the  direction  to  which  our  prows 
were  turned,  no  man,  either  soldier  or  sailor,  com- 
plained of  its  violence.  We  flew  like  eagles  down 
the  bay  ;  but  as  we  were  approaching  Kent  Island  the 
wind  suddenly  shifted,  and  we  were  compelled  to  cast 
anchor  under  its  cliffs  for  the  night.  On  the  morrow, 
however,  we  were  again  steering  our  course ;  and  it 
soon  became  apparent,  from  the  direction  in  which  wo 
moved,  that  the  Patuxent  was  again  about  to  aflx}rd  us 
a  tcmpory  roadstcd.  In  the  course  of  to  day's  pas- 
sage we  passed,  as  we  had  done  before,  within  gun- 
shot  of  Annopolis,  and  of  the  villages,  and  hamlets  in 
its  vicinity.  Almost  the  same  spectacle  which  had 
previously  arrested  our  attention  rose  to  attract  it  now. 
Again  the  beacons  were  set  on  fire — again  signal-guns 
were  fired,  horsemen  mounted,  and  telegraphic  com- 
munications were  carried  on  at  every  station  ;  whilst 
the  provincial  capital,  with  all  the  inhabited  places  near 
it,  again  sent  forth  crowds  of  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, flying  in  manifest  confusion  into  the  interior.  I 
must  confess,  that  though  the  course  of  some  three 
years'  campaigning  had  by  this  time  pretty  effectually 
blunted  my  finer  feelings,  I  could  not  but  pitty  the  ill- 
fated  denizens  of  this  devoted  district,  and  then  I  re- 
garded  our  present  proceedings  with  no  very  triumphant 
eye,  inasmuch  as  they  reminded  me  more  of  the  opera- 
tions of  the  ancient  Danes  against  Alfred  and  his  sub- 
jects, than  anything  in  the  annals  of  modern  and  civil- 
ized warfare.     Yet  was  there  a  great  deal  in  this  kind  of 


A   SUBALTERN  IN  AilEBICA. 


167 


life  calculated,  in  an  extraordinary  degree,  to  interest  and 
amuse.  We  came  at  last  never  to  look  upon  a  town 
or  a  village,  without  having,  at  least,  the  wish,  that  we 
might  be  allowed  to  pay  to  it  a  hostile  visit;  and  though 
I  am  sure  that  the  peaceful  inhabitants  would  have  suf- 
fercd  no  wrong  at  our  hands,  I  am  equally  sure,  that 
there  wn  lothinrr  in  the  shape  of  public  property,  or 
public  works,  wiiich  we  did  not  regard  as  furnishing  a 
legitimate  source  of  plunder  and  out-age. 

Our  vovagc  continuing  throughout  the  whole  of  the 
18th,  we  irrived,  at  an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of 
the  19th,  at  our  old  anchorage  in  the  Patuxcnt  river. 
Here  every  ship  in  the  fleet  brought  up;  and  here,  as 
far  as  we  could  gather,  it  was  more  than  probable  that 
we  should  be  condemned  to  remain,  in  a  state  of  useless 
inactivity,  for  some  time  to  come.  A  sort  of  rumour 
began  about  this  time  to  get  abroad  among  us,  that  the 
ultimate  object  of  our  transportation  to  America  was 
not  to  be  looked  for  here.  A  permanent  conquest,  it 
was  whispered,  would  somewhere  or  another  be  at- 
tempted; but  when,  how,  or  in  what  direction,  con- 
tinued  a  mystery.  There  were  persons,  indeed,  who 
spoke  of  a  descent  upon  New  York.  There  were 
others  who  insinuated,  that  one  of  the  southern  states 
lay  more  open  to  an  attack,  and  if  subdued,  might  more 
easily  be  retained.  All,  however,  confessed  themselves 
ignorant  of  the  real  undertaking  meditated,  though 
all  seemed  to  agree,  that  in  this  quarter  of  the  United 
States  our  campaign  was  at  an  end ;  that  however  lonfr 
we  might  continue  here,  would  be  in  idleness  and  con- 
finement.     With  such  rumours  afloat,  the  reader  will 


168 


A   SUBALTERN  IN  AMERICA* 


It       1 


not  be  surprised  to  hear  that  we  soon  began  to  find 
that  enemy  of  all  unemployed  persons,  ennui,  gaining 
ground  rapidly  upon  us,-  and  that  we  looked  forward 
to  a  move  with  the  same  impatience  that  a  betrothed 
female  experiences,  when  she  is  counting  the  hours 
which  intervene  between  the  first  publication  of  the 
banns  to  the  day  of  wedding. 

I  will  not  attempt  to  record,  in  regular  order,  the 
methods  which  were  adopted  to  kill  time,  from  the  19th 
of  September,  the  day  on  which  we  cast  anchor,  up  to 
the  13th  of  October,  when  we  finally  quitted  the  Chesa- 
peake.    It  was,  upon  the  whole,  but  a  dull  and  unin- 
teresting  period  of  our  existence.     We  moved,  indeed, 
from  the  Patuxent  to  the  Potomac,  and  from  the  Poto- 
mac  back  again  to  the  Patuxent.     We   landed,  too, 
sometimes  in  small  parties,  sometimes  in  large,  and 
twice  in  whole  brigades.     But  the  journal,  were  it  recru- 
larly  transcribed,  with  due  attention  to  dates  and  cir- 
cumstances, would,  I  fear,  prove  as  'ittic  interesting 
to  the  reader  to  peruse,  as  it  would  be  irk.somc  and  dis- 
agreeable  to  the  writer  to  detail  it.     It  will  be  better  to 
relate  only  such  events  as  appear  to  myself  most  worthy 
of  relation. 

In  the  first  place,  then,  I  recollect  that  whilst  the  fleet 
lay  at  anchor  in  the  Patuxent,  a  signal  was  hoisted  at  the 
mast-head  of  the  Royal  Oak,  requiring  a  certain  number 
of  ca_  lains  and  other  naval  ofiicers  to  come  on  board,  for 
the  purpose  of  holding  a  court-martial.  Two  seamen, 
captured  in  some  of  the  late  operations,  had  been  re- 
cognized as  deserters  from  one  of  his  majesty's  ships, 
and  they  were  now  about  to  bo  tried.     The  court  met, 


iMliiiilii 


▲   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


169 


the  prisoners  were  convicted,  and  they  were  sentenced 
to  be  hanged ;  and  at  noon,  on  the  20th  of  September, 
the  sentence  was  carried  into  execution.  As  the  cir- 
cumstances attending  the  execution  of  a  criminal  on 
board  of  ship  are  rather  solemn,  I  shall  take  the  liberty 
of  describing  them  somewhat  at  length. 

Having  heard  that  such  an  event  was  about  to  occur, 
two  or  three  others  and  myself,  obeying  the  dictates  of 
a  curiosity  not,  perhaps,  of  the  most  refined  nature,  took 
boat,  and  went  on  board  the  Royal  Oak,  about  an  hour 
previous  to  the  fatal  moment.  Whether  any  ceremo- 
nies were  gone  through  previous  to  the  general  muster 
of  the  ship's  company,  and  if  they  were,  of  what  nature 
they  consisted,  I  cannot  speak,  because,  till  all  hands 
were  piped  upon  decks,  I  sate  with  the  lieutenants  in 
the  ward  room.  About  ten  minutes  before  twelve 
o'clock,  however,  the  drum  beat  to  quarters,  and  all,  both 
officers  and  men,  hurried  to  their  stations.  This  done, 
the  boatswain's  whistle  sounded,  and  all  hands  crowded 
the  forecastle,  quarter-deck,  and  poop,  in  a  moment. 
There  we  stood,  in  profound  silence,  till  eight  bells 
were  tolled ;  and  exactly  as  the  last  stroke  ceased  to 
reverberate,  the  captain  made  his  appearance. 

All  eyes  were  now  turned  in  fearful  expectation  upon 
the  fore-hatches ;  nor  was  expectation  long  kept  upon 
the  stretch.  A  sergeant  of  marines,  followed  by  a  file 
of  men,  mounted  the  ladder ;  then  came  two  persons, 
dressed  in  blue  jackets  and  trowsers,  heavily  ironed, 
and  after  them  came  another  file  of  marines.  They 
Ifnoved  towards  the  quarter-deck,  and  having  arrived 


k 


k^iMtl^g^^l 


i 


J 


li      IS;"' 


170 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


opposite  the  gang-way,  stood  still.     In  the  meantime, 
it  had  not  escaped  our  notice  that  a  couple  of  nooses 
liung  from  the  fore-yard,  one  on  each  side  of  the  mast ; 
and  that  the  ends  of  the  ropes  lay  at  length  upon  the 
forecastle,  ready  to  be  hurried  aft  by  the  ship's  com- 
pany.     Of  course,  we  were  all  perfectly  sensible  to 
what  uses  these  rope-ends  were  about  to  be  turned;  and 
though  there  was  not  one  amongst  us  who  felt  disposed 
to  deny  the  justice  of  a  deserter's  fate,  there  were  few 
indeed  who  experienced  no  pity  for  the  unhappy  wretches 
about  to  sufier.     No  great  while,  however,  was  grant- 
ed for  the  indulgence  of  such  thoughts.     The  captain 
unfolding  a  roll  of  paper  which  he  held  in  his  hand, 
read  aloud  the  proceedings  of  the  court  martial,  which 
sentenced  the  prisoners  before  him  to  suffer  death ;  and 
having  stated,  that  the  sentence  in  question  received  the 
approbation  of  the  admiral  on  the  station,  he  silently 
motioned  to  the  culprits  that  their  hour  was  come.    I 
cannot  pretend  to  convey  to  my  reader  any  notion  of 
the  expression  which  passed  across  the  poor  men's  coun- 
tenances,  whilst  these  preliminaries  went  on.  They  were 
both  deadly  pale ;  the  limbs  of  one,  too,  appeared  to  tot- 
ter  under  him,  but  neither  of  them  spoke  a  word,  they 
seemed,  indeed,  especially  one  of  them,  to  feel  as  men 
may  be  supposed  to  feel,  if  indeed  they  feel  at  all,  on 
whose  heads  a  heavy  stunning  blow  has  fallen,'  for 
they  suffered  themselves  to  be  led  back  towards  the 
fatal  noose  without  uttering  one  exclamation,  or  offerincr 
the  slightest  resistance.    Their  lips  moved,  however" 
though  whether  in  prayer  or  execration,  I  cannot  tell ; 


"^ 


w 


A  SUBALTERN  IN  AMERICA. 


171 


and  one  raised  his  manacled  hands  with  great  apparent 
energy,  to  his  breast.    But  the  struggle  was  soon  over. 
The  chains  were  struck  from  their  legs,  which  were 
bound  about  at  the  ancle  and  thigh  with  cords ;  their 
hands,  loosened  from  the  handcuffs,  were  pinioned  be- 
hind  them,  and  a  white  night-cap  being  drawn  over 
each  of  their  faces,  they  were  placed   upright,  with 
their  fronts  towards  the  mast.     Then  was  the  nooso 
silently  cast  on  their  necks,  and  a  signal  being  given 
by  the  first  lieutenant,  about  twenty  stout  fellows  seized 
each  of  the  ropes.     One  instant's,  and  only  one  in- 
ytant's  pause  occurred,  for  the  boatswain  piping  "  hoist 
away,"  the  executioners  ran  with  all  speed  towards  the 
l)oop ;  and  the  unfortunate  culprits,  hurried  aloft  with 
the  rapidity  of  thought,  died  in  an  instant.     I  forced 
myself  to  gaze  steadfastly  upon  the  whole  proceeding, 
and  I  can  vouch,  that  not  so  much  as  a  quiver,  or  mo- 
tion of  the  limb,  gave  evidence  of  suffering ;  it  seemed 
to  me,  to  be  the  most  humane  execution  which  I  had 
ever  witnessed.     And  now  all  was  over.     The  sailors 
returned  to  their  berths,  and  we  to  our  transport ;  whilst 
the  bodies  of  the  deserters  were  left  to  swing  in  the  air 
till  sunset. 

I  have  said  that  whilst  the  fleet  lay  both  in  the  Pa- 
tuxent  and  Potomac,  it  was  a  common  practice  among 
the  officers  to  land  and  amuse  themselves  during  the 
whole  of  the  day,  upon  the  banks  of  the  rivers.  Some- 
times  these  debarkations  took  place  for  the  purpose  of 
laying  in  fresh  provisions ;  on  which  occasions  they 
were  usually  conducted  with  prudence,  and  protected 
by  armed  parties.    At  other  times  mere  individual  ca- 


* 


¥ 


172 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


price  directed  therr. ;  and  then  they  were,  for  the  most 
part,  as  rash  as  the  y  were  agreeable.  I  know  not  how 
it  came  about,  but  rarely  indeed  was  a  day  permitted 
to  pass  by,  without  my  spending  some  portion  of  it  on 
shore;  and  to  one  of  these  casual  excursions  was  I  in- 
debted for  my  first  acquaintance  with  the  writings  of 
an  author  now  well  known  in  this  country, — I  mean 
Washington  Irving. 

I  perfectly  recollect  that  both  the  21st  and  22d  of 
September  were  spent  by  a  friend  and  myself  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  Patuxent.     The  air,  though  cooler 
than  it  had  heretofore  been,  was  mild,  and  even  ener- 
vating; and  the  scenery  partook  just  so  much  of  a  mix- 
turc  of  wilderness  and  cultivation,  to  be  in  the  hifrhcst 
degree  interesting  and  attractive.     Not  flir  from  the 
brink  of  the  stream  there  stood  a  large  chateau,  from 
which,  as  may  be  imagined,  the  family  had  long  ago 
retired.     It  was  surrounded  by  grounds  laid  out  with 
very  considerable  taste;  and  the  furniture,  and  general 
arrangement  of  the  interior,  gave  evidence,  that  its 
owner,  whoever  he  might  be,  was  not  wanting  either  in 
aristocratic  feeling,  or  elegant  propensities.     Strange 
to  say,  the  chateau  in  question  had  escaped  plundering; 
its  very  library  was  entire— though  the  only  individuals 
left  in  charge  of  it  were  an  old  gray-hcadcd  negro  and 
his  wife.     In  that  library  we  found  a  work  not  long 
ago   republished    in   this  country— The  Salmagundi; 
and  though  we  could  not  enter  into  the  local  pleasantries 
interspersed  through  it,  I  remember  that  we  read  it  with 
great  grat-".:v;ation.     To  say  the  truth,  our  admiration 
of  the  talents  of  the  author  quite  overcame  our  regard 


T-  ■-\     ■■!■ 


A   •irrALXl;  :N    in    AMERICA. 


173 


to  honestr  ;  for  „    aot  only  read  the  volume  on  shore 
but  brough'   '  r.fr  /ith  us  to  our  transport. 

We  wcro  1.  M  ,wever,  on  every  occasion,  so  inteN 
lectual  in  the  ohu^eis  of  our  search.  Our  fresh  provis- 
ions  being  r  .^,  „-.d,  it  became  a  consideration  of  some 
moment  witu  us,  how  we  might  procure  a  second  sup. 
ply,  and  for  this  purpose  parties  were  more  than  once 
landed,  and  sent  some  \/ay  up  the  country.  Several  of 
these  I  accompanied ;  but  as  the  adventures  which  befell 
•IS  on  one  occasion,  resembled  very  nearly  those  which 
befell  on  others,  it  will  suffice  if  I  select  a  single  excur- 
sion,  and  give  a  narrative  of  it,  as  a  fair  specimen  of 
the  rest. 

On  the  24th  of  September,  a  brother  officer  and  my. 
self  took  with  us  twelve  men  well  armed,  and  landing 
at  a  particular  point,  pushed  off  for  the  house  of  a  gen! 
Jleman  named  Carrol,  which  stood  at  the  distance  of 
some  two  or  three  miles  from  the  river.     Mr.  Carrol 
had  already  been  visited  by  several  parties  from  the 
ilcet,  to  whom  he  had  sold,  at  considerable  profit  to  him- 
self,  sheep,  geese,  turkeys,  and  other  live  stock.     The 
purport  of  our  excursion  to-day  was  to  obtain  from  him 
a  similar  favour,  and  we  found  no  difficulty  in  persuad- 
ing  him  to  accept  about  twice  its  value,  for  any  article 
that  we  coveted.     To  do  him  justice,  however,  Mr  Car- 
rol was  extremely  hospitable;   he  made  us  heartily 
welcome  to  all  that  his  larder  and  cellar  would  afford; 
and  we  became,  as  it  was  right  that  we  should  become,' 
the  best  friends  imaginable.     But  our  visit  was  not 
doomed  io  pass  by  wholly  without  accident.     We  had 

sat  with  him  about  half  an  hour,  during  which  time  our 
16 


li 


) 


il 


174 


A   SUBALTERN    Ilf   AMERICA. 


men  had  caught  and  brought  in  six  sheep,  two  pigs,  and 
a  quantity  of  poultry,  when  a  negro,  rushing  into  the 
apartment,  informed  us,  in  a  hurried  tone,  that  two  hun- 
dred horse  had  just  arrived  at  a  village  about  a  mile 
distant,  and  that  he  entertained  no  doubt  of  their  design 
to  cut  us  off  from  the  boats,  and  put  us  all  to  death.  I 
know  not  whence  it  came  about,  but  we  had  brought  a 
bugler,  bugle  and  all,  on  shore  with  us.  Not  doubting 
that  our  African  friend  was  in  the  right,  we  instantly 
assembled  our  party ;  and  placing  the  live  stock  in  the 
centre  of  half  a  dozen  men,  we  caused  the  other  half 
dozen  to  extend  in  covering  order,  and  gave  the  bugler 
directions,  on  the  first  appearance  of  an  enemy,  to  sound 
We  had  good  reason  to  think,  that  the  sound  of  a  bugle 
would  convey  to  the  minds  of  these  troopers  the  idea 
that  a  large  force  was  on  shoic;  nor  were  we  deceived. 

We  had  traversed  about  a  mile,  and  were  approach- 
ing the  open  country  on  the  immediate  margin  of  the 
stream,  when  a  squadron  of  some  twenty  horse  sudden- 
ly showed  itself,  close  upon  our  rear.  The  bugler  blew, 
as  if  it  were  intended  to  alarm  a  whole  brigade,  and 
our  men  flocking  to  the  spot  in  ones  and  twos,  doubtless 
impressed  the  Americans  with  a  belief,  that  a  large 
force  was  in  front  of  them.  They  halted,  wheeled  round, 
and  slowly  rode  away ;  nor  did  we  see  anything  more 
of  them  that  morning.  I  need  not  add,  that  we  made 
no  delay  in  gaining  our  boat ;  or  that  we  half  resolved 
not  again  to  venture,  so  few  in  number,  even  as  far  from 
the  fleet  as  Mr.  Carrol's  residence. 

Besides  these  private  landings,  as  they  may  be  term- 
ed, in  the  course  of  which,  by  the  way,  four  ofiicers  of 


f    I 


UCA. 

),  two  pigs,  and 
ishing  into  the 
!,  that  two  hun- 
3  about  a  mile 
of  their  design 
dl  to  death.  I 
had  brought  a 
Not  doubting 
t,  we  instantly 
ve  stock  in  the 
the  other  half 
ave  the  bugler 
icmy,  to  sound 
und  of  a  bugle 
opers  the  idea 
e  we  deceived, 
rere  approach- 
margin  of  the 
horse  sudden- 
le  bugler  blew, 
}  brigade,  and 
twos,  doubtless 
',  that  a  large 
.vheeled  round, 
inything  more 
that  we  made 
!  half  resolved 
(^en  as  far  from 

may  be  term- 
four  officers  of 


A   SUBALTERN   TS   AMERICA. 


175 


the  85th  regiment  narrowly  escaped  being  made  pris- 
oners,  two  disembarkations  of  troops,  under  the  com- 
mand  of  Colonel  Brooke  in  person,  took  place.     The 
first  of  these  occurred  on  the  occasion  just  referred  to. 
A  party  of  the  85th  having  incautiously  exposed  them- 
selves,  and  a  report  having  reached  the  fleet  that  they 
were  betrayed,  the  light  corps  landed  for  the  purpose 
of  chastising  the  traitor,  and  forcing  a  release  of  the 
prisoners.     The  first  of  these  proceedings  was  not,  they 
'bund,  required ;  there  had  been  no  treachery,  but  much 
honour  and  good  feeling  displayed  towards  the  English  ; 
liie  last,  I  believe,  came  to  nothing.     The  officers  hav- 
ing been  concealed  all  day  by  an  American  farmer,  ef- 
footed  their  own  escape :  the  privates,  who  had  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  some  cavalry  were  instantly  removed 
up  the  country.     The  light  troops  accordingly  returned 
to  the  ships,  without  having  effected  anything.     Nor 
was  the  second  debarkation  one  whit  more  profitable. 
A  rumour  having  come  to  Colonel  Brooke's  ears,  that 
ten  or  twelve  hundred  Americans,  with  a  park  of  six 
pieces  of  cannon,  were  encamped  about  five  miles  up 
the  country,  he  determined  to  attempt  their  surpri&al. 
With  this  view,  the  4th,  44th,  and  21st  regiments,  as 
well  as  the  battalion  of  marines  and  the  corps  of  rock- 
'tors,  were  landed,  on  the  4th  of  October,  upon  the  left 
bank  of  the  Potomac.     The  landing  took  place  during 
the  night ;  and  as  the  weather  chanced  to  be  stormy  and 
moist,  there  was  very  little  comfort  whilst  it  went  on. 
Nor,  to  speak  the  truth,  did  any  man's  enthusiasm  rise 
sufficiently  high  to  make  him  satisfied  even  under  the 
petty  grievance  of  a  ducking.     We  could  not  but  feel, 


176 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


that  the  object  in  view  was  utterly  worthless ;  and  we 
were  far  from  being  sanguine,  that,  worthless  as  it  was, 
it  would  be  obtained.  We  were  not  mistaken.  Havin» 
marched  all  night  under  a  soaking  rain,  we  arrived 
about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  at  the  site  of  the  en- 
emy's bivouac,  and  found,  as  most  of  us  expected  to 
find,  that  it  had  been  abandoned.  The  Americans  were 
not  quite  so  careless  of  themselves,  as  that  two  thou- 
sand mea  could  step  on  shore  unobserved.  Intelli- 
gence of  our  design  reached  them  long  before  we  began 
our  inroad;  and  they  returned  leisurely  into  the  into- 
rior.  Under  these  circumstances,  there  remained  for 
us  but  one  course  to  pursue;  we  retraced  our  steps, 
and  returned  on  board  of  ship,  wet,  weary,  and  empty- 
handed. 


y'- ' 


A   SUBALTEBN   IN   AHEBICA. 


177 


CHAPTER  XV. 


VOVAOE    FROM   THE    CHESAPEAKE    TO   JAMAICA. 

But  besides  taking  part  with  my  comrades  in  these 
different  pursuits,  it  was  a  common  custom  with  me  to 
spend  whole  days  on  shore,  either  seeking  for  game  in 
the  woods,  or  loitering  about  the  beautiful  banks  of  the 
river  with  my  fishing-rod.  No  man  who  has  not  ex- 
perienced the  irksomeness  of  a  four  months'  confinement 
on  board  of  ship,  can  at  all  comprehend  the  degree  of 
gratification  which  these  solitary  excursions  afforded. 
On  such  occasions,  the  air  always  appeared  to  blow 
with  peculiar  sweetness,  and  the  noises  produced  by 
filings  animate  and  inanimate  about  me  were  all  m.ost 
musical.  Every  branch  overhead  was  alive  with  birds, 
which  made  the  forest  ring  with  their  clear  and  varied 
notes;  whilst  the  rustling  of  the  breeze  through  the 
Ibliagc,  the  murmur  of  the  large  stream,  broken  in  upon 
and  varied  from  time  to  time  by  the  indistinct  cries  of  the 
seamen,  created  altogether  a  harmony  more  exquisite 
than  any  other  to  which  the  human  ear  can  listen. — 
Towards  nightfall,  in  particular,  these  sounds  came 
upon  me  vith  peculiar  force.  Nor  w  re  the  bleating  of 
sheep,  01  thr  lowing  of  cattle,  which  met  me  as  often  as 
I  ventured  to  any  distance  from  the  boats,  thrown  awav. 
16* 


■"■.»«Ni(ww."->-a  -^:-vi^M 


f 


It- 


178 


A  SUBALTERN   IW  AMEICA. 


I  am  not  sure  that  I  ever  spent  days  more  perfectly  to 
my  own  satisfaction  than  those  which  were  passed  in 
solitude  upon  the  banks  of  the  Potomac. 

Things  continued  thus  with  us  during  several  weeits, 
the  boats  rowing  daily  to  the  beach,  and  bringing  off 
stores  of  fresh  water  from  wells  which  had  been  dug 
there,  and  the  horses  and  some  part  of  the  artillery 
l)oing  landed  on  an  island  in  the  river.     But  at  last  a 
signal  was  made  for  all  parties  to  repair  to  their  respec- 
tive vessels ;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  6th  of  October, 
the  whole  expedition  was  again  embarked.     On  the 
morning  of  the  7th,  the  anchors  were  raised,  and  a  fair 
wind  happening  to  blow,  we  stood  in  magnificent  array 
towards  the  Chesapeake.     Having  fairly  entered  it,  a 
pause  was  made  for  tl)c  night ;  but  on  the  morrow  wo 
were  again  under  sail,  with  prows  turned  towards  the 
capes,  and  before  dusk  we  had  the  satisfaction  to  ob- 
serve the  mouth  of  the  James'  river  open  on  our  star- 
board bow.     Nor  was  this  the  only  or  the  most  agreea- 
ble event  which  befell  us  that  day.     A  beautiful  schoo- 
ner, carrying  a  white  flag  at  her  main-topmast  head, 
shot  after  us  from  the  Patuxcnt ;  she  overtook  us  just  as 
we  were  preparing  to  bring  up  for  the  night,  and  groat 
was  the  joy  of  every  man  on  board  when  it  appeareii 
that  she  was  the  bearer  of  the  majority  of  the  men  anil 
officers  who  had  been  left  behind  wounded  at  Bladens- 
burg.     Among  the  individuals  thus  restored  to  the  army 
wevp!  Colonels  Thornton  and  Wood,  (Major  Brown's 
hurts  were  too  serious  to  admit  of  his  removal,)  and 
not  a  tew  of  the  best  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates  belonging  to  the  light  brigade.     I  need  not  add, 


1^ 

I 


tTOH'-"- 


A   STTBALTERN   IN   AMERICA.  179 

that  a  reunion  of  friends,  under  such  circumstances, 
was  productive  of  the  highest  exultation  on  all  sides; 
whilst  the  reflection,  that  two  officers  of  experience  had 
returned  to  their  stations,  gave  universal  satisfaction,  on 
higher  grounds  than  those  of  mere  personal  attachment. 
From  the  date  last  referred  to,  up  to  the  evening  of 
the  14th,  the  fleet  either  continued  at  anchor,  or  beat 
about  the  bay,  as  if  the  Admiral  were  in  expectation  of 
dispatches  from  home,  or  had  not  yet  made  up  his  own 
mind  as  to  the  course  which  it  behoved  him  to  follow. 
At  last,  however,  though  not  before  we  soldiers  had 
begun  to  give  utterance  to  many  and  sore  complaints,  a 
signal  to  steer  in  a  SSE.  direction  was  displayed.     All 
the  transports,  most  of  the  line-of-battle  ships,  the  bombs, 
brigs,  and  small  craft,  instantly  obeyed ;  and  as  the 
wind  blew  fine  and  fresh,  we  bounded  over  the  water 
like  eagles  through  the  skies.      Capes  Charles  and 
Henry  both  hove  in  sight  before  dusk.     We  rushed 
through  between  them,  and  the  rising  moon  found  us 
once  again  at  sea  in  the  Atlantic  ocean. 

Of  the  circumstHnccs  which  attended  our  passage 
from  the  Chesapeake  to  Jamaica,  it  is  not  necessary  that 
I  should  give  here  any  minute  account.  The  usual 
varieties  of  rough  and  calm,  fair  and  foul  weather,  pre- 
sented themselves;  and  the  customary  formalities  of 
shaving  and  administering  oafhs  on  crossing  the  line 
were  gone  through.  Sharks  were  fished  for,  dolphins 
harpooned,  and  fiying-fisb  secured  on  the  quarter-deck, 
whither  they  had  leaped;  and  water-spouts,  thunJer- 
storms,  and  other  children  of  the  tropics,  came  by  turns 
to  amuse  and  to  alarm  us.     Yet  was  the  period  of  our 


I 


I'     ! 


180 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


h  ^   ji 


% 


i   I 


S     -  I 


lives  which  extended  from  the  14th  of  October  up  to 
the  28th  of  November  but  a  dull  and  monotonous  one. 
The  scenery,  indeed,  after  we  had  fairly  entered  what 
is  called  the  windward  channel,  became  interesting  and 
beautiful  in  no  ordinary  degree.  It  was  delightful  to 
behold  the  bold  shores  of  St  Domingo  on  the  one  hand, 
and  the  no  less  magnificent  cliffs  of  Cuba  on  the  other ; 
whilst  the  unvarying  progress  which  we  made  under 
the  influence  of  the  trade-winds  proved  of  itself  a  source 
ot"  hearty  congratulation.  But  in  spite  of  these  amelio- 
rating accompaniments,  a  six  weeks'  voyage  is,  after  all, 
nothing  more  than  a  six  weeks'  imprisonment,  where, 
as  Dr.  Johnson  has  observed,  in  addition  to  the  loss  of 
liberty,  you  run  the  risk  of  being  drowned.  It  was, 
therefore,  with  feelings  of  unspeakable  satisfaction,  that 
WQ  at  length  beheld  the  blue  mountains  of  Jamaica  cast 
their  shadows  upon  the  distant  horizon ;  and  our  satis- 
faction received  tenfold  greater  force  when  the  anchor 
was  dropped  in  Port  Royal  bay.  The  reader  will  readi- 
ly believe  that  we  lost  no  time  in  putting  foot  upon  dry 
land;  indeed,  the  vessel  had  not  swung  round  to  the 
tide,  when  every  officer,  except  such  as  were  absolutely 
required  for  duty,  abandoned  her. 

In  spite  of  the  excessive  sultriness  of  the  climate,  I 
shall  never  cease  to  look  back  upon  the  period  of  my 
brief  sojourn  in  Jamaica  with  sentiments  of  unqualified 
satisfaction.  So  many  months  had  elapsed  since  an 
opportunity  of  mining  at  all  in  civilized  English  society 
was  aflbrded,  that  though  I  can  hardly  venture  to  com- 
pare the  society  of  Kingston  and  its  vicinity  to  the  pol- 
ished circles  of  Grosvenor  Square  or  Portland  Place, 


Wi 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


181 


even  it,  with  all  its  drawbacks,  (and  they  were  ne'^ner 
few  nor  trifling,)  brought  a  charm  along  with  %.,  su< '. 
as  I  cannot  adequately  describe.  There  was  s-  .^iQihUifi, 
in   the   very  domestic  arrangement  of  the  \,  -' 

houses,  which  men,  so  little  accustomed  of  lat3  to  the 
sight  of  such  things,  could  not  behold  with  indifference. 
True,  the  absence  of  well-bred  and  well-educated  white 
women  was  severely  felt.     Not  that  there  were  none 
such  in  the  island— nay,  far  from  it,  those  with  whom 
we  did  form  an  acquaintance  were  at  least  as  polished 
as  women  of  their  own  stations  at  home.     But  they 
were  few  in  number;  and  where  they  existed  not,  their 
places  were  but  indifferently  supplied  by  the  Mulatto 
and  Musfce  girls,  who,  in  too  many  instances,  presided 
at  our  entertainers'  boards.     Then  the  manners  of  the 
men,  hearty  and  sincere,  no  doubt,  were  at  the  same 
time  abundantly  rough,  uncultivated,  boisterous,  and 
dogmatical.     To  a  stranger,  too,  the  being  waited  upon 
by  filthy  blacks,  male  and  female,  proved  disgusting  in 
the  extreme.     In  spite  of  all  this,  however,  we  enjoyed 

the  change  in  the  order  of  our  existence  amazingly 

The  people  were  all,  without  any  exception,  frank  and 
hospitable;  they  gave  us  dinners  and  balls,  as  well 
quality  as  not  quality ;  they  did  their  best,  in  short,  to 
make  our  visit  a  pleasant  one,  and  it  would  ill  become 
me,  whom  they  entertained  thus  liberally,  to  speak  of 
them  in  terms  of  disrespect.  If  I  have  appeared  to  err 
in  this  particular,  I  assure  them  that  I  do  not  feel  what 
I  may  have  unwarily  written. 

I  am  not  going  to  enter  into  any  discussion  of  the 
Slave  Question ;  neither  shall  I  waste  my  reader's  time 


^^^ 


_   ,j      .  J  : 


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4 


V  ■ 


163 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMESfCA. 


by  laying  before  him  a  minute  description  of  Kingston, 
or  the  country  round  it.     On  the  subject  of  slavery,  it 
will  be  sufficient  to  observe,  that  I  landed  as  strongly 
imbued  with  prejudice  as  most  men,  and  that  a  little 
close  inspection  of  the  behaviour  of  both  Whites  and 
Blacks,  served  to  convince  me,  that  the  first  were  not 
the  monsters  which  they  were  so  frequently  represented 
to  be,  nor  the  last  the  objects  of  that  mawkish  compas- 
sion which  it  is  the  pleasure  of  a  certain  class  of  worthies 
to  stir  up  in  their  favour.     The  domestic  slave  in  Ja- 
maica, is,  generally  speaking,  as  well  treated,  and  in 
every  respect  as  happily  situated,  as  a  domestic  servant 
in  England ;  and,  from  what  I  saw  of  the  tasks  impos- 
ed upon  the  field-negroes,  I  should  certainly  not  say, 
that  the  slave  in  the  sugar  or  coffee  plantation,  is  much 
more  heavily  oppressed  with  toil,  than  the  English 
ditcher  or  reaper.     No  doubt  there  are  many  respects 
in  which  the  slave  stands  upon  less  enviable  ground 
than  the  European  labourer,  though  I  cannot  rank 
among  them  the  mere  fact  of  his  being  a  bondsman  ; 
because,  to  people  so  little  advanced  in  the  scale  of  civ- 
iiization,  there  is  really  no  pain  in  a  degradation,  which, 
after  all,  is  but  ideal.     But  I  do  consider  their  liability 
to  be  separated  at  the  will  of  their  owner,  from  their 
nearest  relatives,  as  a  very  grievous  hardship.     It  is  a 
sad  sight,  too,  to  behold  both  men  and  women  walked 
backwards  and  forwards,  as  in  this  country  we  walk  a 
horse  through  a  cattle-market :  yet  the  individuals  them- 
selves seem  not  to  regard  the  thing,— in  all  probability 
they  do  not  feel  it.     Of  the  wanton  cruelties  so  much 
talked  of  here,  my  own  observation  brought  not  before 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA.  183 

me  so  much  as  a  solitary  example.     They  may  some- 
times  occur;  wherever  a  multitude  of  persons  possess 
absolute  power,  some  will  always  abuse  it ;  but  it  is 
mere  folly  to  speak  of  drivers  and  overseers  as  men 
who  delight  in  the  sound  of  the  whip,  and  in  the  agon- 
ies   of  their  fellow-creatures.     There  is  yet  another 
class  of  slaves,  on  whose  condition  a  word  or  two  may 
be  hazarded.     Many  owners  teach  their  negroes  trades, 
and  these  negroes  afterwards  labour,  not  for  the  cxclu' 
sive  benefit  of  their  owners,  but  for  their  own.     Men 
even  hire  themselves  of  their  masters;  that  is,  under- 
take to  pay  the  masters  so  much  per  week,  on  condition 
that  they  shall  be  allowed  to  apply  their  earnings  to 
their  own  uses;  and  the  balance,  as  often  as  it  proves 
to  be  against  the  master,  is  punctually  made  good.    All 
these  facts  I  deem  it  proper  to  state,  not  in  the  spirit  of 
one  who  wishes  to  involve  himself  in  the  controversy 
which  has  so  long  raged  between  the  planters  and  abo- 
litionists, but  as  the  results  of  a  pretty  accurate  investi- 
gation, set  on  foot  with  no  design  whatever  to  discover 
excellencies  in  a  system  which  all  Englishmen  must 
constitutionally  abhor. 

With  respect  to  the  general  appearance  of  the  island, 
again,  I  saw  too  little  of  it  to  authorize  my  entering 
upon  minute  details.  Stoney  Hill  Barracks  at  the  foo^t 
of  the  mountain,  on  the  one  hand,  and  Spanish-Town, 
with  the  Governor's  residence,  on  the  other,  bounded 
ray  tour  in  this  quarter ;  and  even  when  the  ships  pro- 
ceeded to  the  place  of  assembly  at  Negril  Bay,  I  never 
ventured  ten  miles  from  the  beach,  because'  our  stay 
was  expected  to  be  at  most  a  brief  one;  the  exact  mo- 


» 


J  1^1 


I 


184 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


mcnt  of  its  termination  no  one  could  tell ;  it  would  have 
been  as  rash  as  impolitic,  under  such  circumstances,  to 
wander  very  far  away  from  the  shipping.  Yet  I  saw 
enough,  both  in  the  bold  outline  of  its  mountainous 
coasts,  and  in  the  fertility  and  richness  of  its  mid-land 
plains,  to  satisfy  me,  that  few  places  more  deserve  the 
notice  of  a  travel k-r,  whose  search  is  after  natural 
beauty  alone. 

It  was  on  the  17th  of  November,  just  ns  day  began 
to  break,  that  the  little  squadron  of  vessels  which  had 
rendezvoused  at  Port-Royal,  weighed  anchor.  The 
rest  of  the  fleet  having  steered  direct  for  Ncgril  Bay, 
and  it  being  understood  that  a  large  reinforcement  had 
been  ordered  to  join  the  expedition  in  that  roadstead,  it 
was  necessary  for  us  also  to  direct  our  course  thither, 
as  soon  as  our  stores  of  water  and  provisions  should 
be  complete.  All  things  were  in  readiness  for  the  move 
on  the  evening  of  the  16th,  and  on  the  following  morn- 
ing we  put  to  sea. 

Our  short  voyage,  for  it  was  accomplished  in  less 
than  forty-eight  hours,  proved  an  exceedingly  agreea- 
ble one.  Keeping  constantly  within  sight  of  land,  we 
slid  with  the  tide  round  the  promontory,  and  moved 
along  sometimes  slowly,  at  other  times  with  consider- 
able velocity,  according  as  the  light  airs  which  wafted 
us,  freshened  or  lulled.  The  scenery  brought  by  this 
means  into  view,  was  as  interesting  as  a  constant  suc- 
cession of  rock  and  mountain,  wood  and  glen,  could 
render  it ;  and  the  rate  of  our  going  enabled  us  for  the 
most  part  to  enjoy  every  change  to  the  utmost.  To- 
wards evening,  again,  the  smell  became  gratifying  in  a 


-,  -»  '    •.■«:s* 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


185 


degree  not  less  palpable  than  the  sense  of  sight.     It  is 
probably  needless  for  me  to  mention,  that  in  this  quar- 
ter of  the  world,  the  wind  invariably  changes  with  the 
rising  and  setting  of  the  sun  ;  and  that  as  it  blows  on 
shore,  in  every  part  of  the  island,  during  the  day,  so  it 
blows  off  the  land  in  all  directions,  during  the  night. 
By  this  means  the  most  dcliciuus  odours,  from  oranges, 
myrtles,  and  all  tlic  sweet-scented  shrubs  of  a  tropical 
climate,  load  the  evening  breezes  ;  and  being  to-night 
just  within  their  influence,  wc  sat  upon  the  deck  long 
after  it  became  dark,  to  inhale  their  fragrance.     Then 
the  morn   arose  in  cloudless  majesty,  making  rocks, 
woods,  and  sloping  downs  again  visible,  and  casting 
over  them  a  radiance  a  thousand  times  more  beautiful 
than  that  of  day,  whilst  the  ripple  of  the  sea,  as  the 
•ship  cut  her  way  across  its  smooth  surface,  and   the 
small  waves  broke  upon  some  cliff  more  precipitous 
than  those   about  it,  filled  up  the  measure  of  our  de- 
lights with  the  most  exquisite  harmony.  On  the  whole, 
I  do  not  recollect  to  have  passed  a  similar  space  of 
time,  especially  on  board  of  ship,  with  greater  gratifi  • 
cation,  nor  to  have  witnessed  tlie  termination  of  any 
water-journey  with  greater  regret. 

Wo  reached  the  entrance  of  the  bay  just  after  sun- 
set on  the  18th;  but  as  the  breeze  died  wholly  away 
before  we  could  enter,  we  were  necessiated  to  cast 
anchor  till  it  should  spring  up  again.  It  did  spring  up 
early  in  the  morning  of  the  19th,  when,  having  stood 
out  to  secure  a  good  offing,  we  put  our  helms  up,  and 
bore  majestically  down  upon  our  anchorage ;  and  sel- 
dom  have  I  looked  upon  a  spectacle  more  animating 


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186 


A   aUBALTERIf   I3t   AMERICA. 


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than  that  which  was  then  brought  before  us.  About 
■eventy  or  eighty  sail  of  vessels,  some  of  them  ships  of 
the  line,  and  many  more  entitled  to  display  the  pendant, 
lay  within  compass  of  a  small  natural  harbour,  so 
closely  wedged  together,  that  to  walk  across  the  decks, 
from  one  to  the  other,  seemed,  when  at  a  little  distance, 
to  be  far  from  impracticable.  Behind  this  gallant  navy 
rose  a  shore,  not  mountainous  certainly,  but  so  far  the 
reverse  of  flat,  that  hill  upon  hill  Hfted  its  modest  green 
head,  feathered  with  plantain,  cocoa-nut  trees,  and  the 
other  graceful  plants  peculiar  to  those  climates.  Im- 
mediately upon  the  strand,  and  under  the  shelter  of  a 
few  plantain  trees,  stood  about  half-a-dozen  cottages  ; 
the  habitations  of  some  families  of  free  negroes,  who 
gained  a  livelihood  by  fishing,  and  selling  refreshments 
to  such  ships  as  touched  at  the  place.  They  were  but 
simple  edifices,  formed  merely  of  the  boughs  of  trees, 
and  thatched  with  the  stubble  of  Indian  corn.  But  they 
were  not  the  only  domiciles  in  sight.  A  sort  of  en- 
campment had  been  formed  along  the  sea-side,  for  the 
accommodation  of  a  party  of  artillery  drivers,  sent  on 
shore  to  look  after  the  horses,  which  it  had  been  deemed 
advisable  to  land ;  and  not  a  few  of  the  officers,  as 
well  of  the  navy  as  of  the  army,  preferred  takinfr  their 
residence  there,  to  a  continuance  on  board  of  ship. 
The  display  of  life  and  activity  thereby  occasioned, 
added  not  a  little  to  the  general  effect  of  the  scene, 
which  afforded  every  moment  fresh  power  of  attraction, 
as  we  drew  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  beach. 

As  soon  as  we  had  cast  anchor,  boats  from  almost 
every  vessel  in  the  fleet  boarded  us.    There  were  little 


sam 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


187 


pieces  of  intelligence  communicated,  not  indeed  so  im- 
portant  in  their  nature  as  to  deserve  a  repetition,  but 
sufficiently  interesting  at  the  moment,  both  to  the  per- 
sons who  told,  and  those  who  listened  to  them ;  while 
a  thousand  anxious  inquiries  were  instituted  as  to  what 
was  going  on  at  Kingston,  and  when  the  long-looked- 
for  reinforcements  might  be  expected.  All  this  was 
natural  enough ;  nor  was  it  less  natural,  that  an  early 
hour  on  the  morrow  should  see  us  in  numerous  groups 
upon  the  land ;  either  threading  our  way  th  >ugh  the 
graceful  forests,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  some  ac- 
quaintance  with  the  interior,  or  lounging  about  in  idle- 
■less  by  the  sea-shore.  But  these  employments  were 
not  sufficiently  attractive  to  hinder  us  from  feeling  or 
expressing  our  utter  distaste  of  a  life  of  idleness'',  or 
prating,  till  the  subject  grew  stale,  aboMt  the  folly  of 
wasting  our  precious  time  in  a  friendly  settlement. 

Though  I  profess  not  to  be  writing  a  regular  history 
of  these  campaigns,  it  will  not,  perhaps,  be  deemed  out 
of  place,  if  I  state  here,  that  long  before  the  expedition 
arrived  at  Jamaica,  an  error,  the  fatal  effects  of  which 
were  felt  in  all  our  future  operations,  had  been  commit- 
ted. Though  the  point  of  attack  was  kept  a  profound 
secret  from  the  troops,  there  was  hardly  a  coffee-house 
in  Kingston  in  which  the  views  of  the  English  govern- 
ment were  not  openly  discussed,—not  as  a  subject  of 
conjecture,  but  as  a  truth,  of  which  no  doubt  could  be 
entertained.  How  this  matter  first  got  abroad,  various 
rumours  have  been  in  circulation;  but  I  believe  the 
truth  to  be  as  follows.  The  conquest  of  New  Orleans 
was  from  the  first  the  grand  object,  for  the  attainment 


188 


A.  SUBALTERN  IN  AMERICA. 


n 


of  which  our  expedition  was  fitted  out>  The  capture 
of  Burlington,  and  the  landing  at  Baltimore,  with  the 
whole  series  of  operations  in  the  Chesapeake,  were  un- 
dertaken simply  as  blinds,  to  divert  the  attention  of  the 
American  government  from  the  district  really  threat- 
ened ;  and  so  anxious  were  ministers  to  effect  this,  and 
that  though  a  general  rendezvous,  at  Jamaica,  of  the 
invading  army,  had  been  long  planned  out,  not  a  hint 
of  the  matter  was  dropped  to  the  naval  officer  com- 
manding there,  till  the  forces,  both  from  England  and 
the  Potomac,  were  ready  to  set  sail.  It  unhappily  oc- 
curred, however,  that  in  the  interval,  the  Admiral  on 
the  Jamaica  station  died,  and  the  dispatches  designed 
for  him  were  necessarily  put  into  ihe  hands  of  the  se- 
nior captain.  That  gentleman,  with  a  singular  absence 
of  all  common  prudence,  opened  these  dispatches  in 
the  presence  of  a  Jew  merchant ;  and,  like  a  perfect 
simpleton,  informed  him  of  their  contents.  An  oppor- 
tunity so  favourable  of  earning  a  rich  reward,  the  sou 
of  Israel  could  not  permit  to  pass.  He  fitted  out  a  fast 
sailing  schooner  without  delay,  and  dispatched  them  to 
the  enemy.  Nor  was  he  satisfied  with  this.  The  pro- 
jected inroad  bccamc,  through  his  instrumentality,  a 
matter  of  universal  discussion ;  and  the  American  gov^ 
ornor  of  Florida  learned,  from  a  thousand  difierent 
quarters,  that  he  was  in  danger.  The  information  was 
not  wasted  upon  him.  He  set  himself  instantly  to  work, 
raising  men,  planning  out  fortifications,  laying  in  stores, 
and  making  other  preparations  to  receive  us ;  and  so 
diligent  was  he  in  the  prosecution  of  his  task,  that  the 
means  of  defence  got  together,  were  such  as  we  found 


i!    ■' 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


189 


ourselves  quite  unable  to  overcome.  The  name  of  the 
naval  officer  to  whose  vi'omaniijh  garrulity  so  much  mis- 
chief is  attributable,  I  do  not  choose  to  record ;  but  the 
fact  itself  is  too  ger 'orally  known  to  make  me  at  all 
scrupr'  1US  about  repeating  it.  But  I  will  not  break 
through  my  established  rule,  by  entering,  even  slightly, 
into  the  politics  of  the  war ;  let  mo  rather  go  on  at 
once  with  my  own  personal  narrative. 

17* 


190 


A    SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


VOYAGE  TO  NEW  ORLEANS. 


Breakfast  being  cndad,  we  were  walking  the  deck 
on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  to  indulge,  as  usual,  the 
spirit  of  grumbling  which  had  of  late  sprung  up  among 
us,  when  a  cry  of  "a  fleet  in  the  ofHng,"  puddcnly 
turned  all  our  attention  to  other  subjects.  For  a  while 
little  could  be  seen,  except  an  indistinct  line  in  the  hori- 
zon, in  which  none  of  us  were  sufficiently  imaginative 
to  discover  the  smallest  resemblance  to  a  fleet.  But 
the  line  began,  by  degrees,  to  change  its  appearance  ; 
it  became  broken  into  detached  spots  ;  by  and  by  these 
spots  began  to  assume  distinct  shapes  ;  and  at  last  the 
masts  and  sails  of  vessels  could  be  distinguished.  We 
rent  the  air  with  shouts  as  soon  as  the  truth  burst  fullv 
upon  us ;  and  our  joy  exceeded  all  bounds,  when,  to- 
wards noon,  a  magnificent  squadron  of  ships,  of  all 
classes  and  dimensions,  steered  into  the  y.  They 
contained  the  long-looked  for  reinforcements,  amount- 
ing in  all  to  upwards  of  two  thousand  men ;  and, 
above  all,  there  accompanied  them  a  new  general  to 
command  us.  Now,  then,  were  hope  and  good  hu- 
mour, once  more  renewed  in  all  ranks ;  and  now  we 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


101 


looked  forward  with  confidence  to  a  speedy  restoration 
of  that  active  career,  the  abandonment  of  which  had  so 
long  and  so  severely  galled  us. 

One  day  only,  besides  the  evening  of  that  on  which 
Geneial  Kcane  arrived,  having  been  devoted  to  the  ad- 
justment of  a  few  necessary  preliminaries,  the  signal 
lor  sailing  was  hung  out ;  and  at  an  early  hour  on  tho 
morning  of  tho  2Gth,  the  whole  fleet  put  to  sea.  For 
some  hours,  our  progress  was  but  tardy.  There  was 
a  dead  calm  from  sun-rise  till  noon  ;  and  from  noon  till 
two  or  three  o'clock,  the  light  breeze  that  blew  was 
against  us  ;  but  towards  evening,  the  land-winds  began 
to  exert  their  influence,  and  long  before  dark,  all  trace 
of  Jamaica  disappeared.  Away,  then,  we  bounded, 
with  a  blue  and  cloudless  sky  overhead,  and  one  wide 
waste  of  ocean  around  us;  and  meeting  with  no  acci- 
dent, nor  any  squalls  or  adverse  gales  to  detain  us,  we 
soon  began  to  feel,  that  our  distance  from  the  tropic 
was  increasing.  The  climate  became  by  degrees  more 
and  more  temperate;  we  were  enabled  to  keep  the 
deck,  unscreened  by  an  awning,  at  mid-day ;  and  at 
last  the  shelter  of  a  clonk,  when  exposed  to  the  night- 
air,  became  highly  agreeable.  Our  spirits  rose  with 
these  changes  in  our  circumstances.  We  resumed  our 
former  occupations  of  promenading,  eating,  drinking, 
and  reading,  with  fresh  spirit,  and  we  introduced  a  mo- 
ral source  of  amusement  before  long  into  our  little 
circle.  My  friend  Charlton  happened  to  be  an  ama- 
teur  in  music  ;  he  had  provided  himself  with  a  violin 
before  the  regiment  quitted  France  ;  and  now,  for  the 
first  time,  was  it  brought  into  general  use.    Every 


/  i      1 


iir 


mtm 


192 


A   SUBALTEHN    IN   AMERICA. 


'1 

i 


evening,  after  coffee,  the  cnbin-floor  was  cleared,  and 
about  ten  of  us  danced  to  his  music  waltzes  and  coun- 
try dances  till  midnight. 

Nor  were  the  men  less  sensible  than  their  superiors 
of  the  change  for  the  better,  as  well  in  the  temperature 
of  the  atmosphere,  as  in  their  own  frame  of  mind. 
There  were  among  them  many  who  played  the  fife 
well ;  these,  talking  a  cue  from  their  officers,  produced 
their  instruments,  and  the  forepart  of  the  ship  soon  re- 
sounded to  the  voice  of  piping  and  making  merry.  All 
on  board,  in  short,  from  the  officer  commanding  down 
to  the  cabin-boy,  appeared  to  acquire  additional  viva- 
city as  we  proceeded  farther  and  farther  from  the  tro- 
pic ;  insomuch,  that  I  will  tahe  it  upon  me  to  aflirm, 
that  a  ship  has  rarely  navigated  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 
among  the  crew  of  which  so  much  cood  humour  and 
genuine  conviviality  prevailed. 

Such  was  the  order  of  our  existence,  from  the  3d  of 
December,  when  the  romantic  shores  of  Cuba  were  lost 
sight  of,  up  to  the  9th,  when  the  low  coast  of  the  Flo- 
ridas  first  came  into  view.  The  wind  had,  generally 
speaking,  been  in  our  favour  ;  if  a  squall  did  occasion- 
ally occur,  it  never  lasted  above  an  hour  or  two,  nor 
did  the  fleet  the  smallest  damage.  On  the  8th,  indeed, 
our  master  experienced  no  little  uneasiness ;  for,  at  a 
moment  when  we  were  proceeding  under  a  press  of  sail, 
the  horizon  became  suddenly  overspread  with  clouds, 
and  a  violent  hurricane  seemed  at  hand.  But  our  ship's 
company  was  a  good  one ;  and  the  soldiers,  brave  by 
habit,  had  all  acquired  some  knowledge  of  naval  tactics ; 
we  were  accordingly  enabled  to  take  in  our  canvass  in 


I  ii  ^1 


A.   SUBALTERN   IN   AMEBICA. 


109 


good  time,  and  so  averted  the  danger.  The  storm, 
however,  left  one  disagreeable  consequence  behind  it ; 
— the  wind  cliangcd  ;  and  hence,  instead  of  seeing  land 
before  dark  that  day,  the  evening  of  the  next  was  ap- 
proaching before  we  were  enabled  to  discovo/  it.  1 
perfectly  recollect  that  the  9th  of  December  was  an 
(exceedingly  cold  day.  A  sharp  north-easterly  wind 
drove  into  our  faces  a  keen  sleet ;  and  it  was  not  with- 
out having  recourse  to  cloaks  and  blankets,  that  wo 
were  enabled  to  keep  the  deck. 

I  shall  not  readily  forget  the  effect  produced  by  the 
first  appearance  of  the  land  towards  which  our  course 
was  directed.  The  coast  of  America  is,  I  believe,  for 
the  most  part  low,  at  least  I  never  chanced  to  approach 
it  in  any  quarter,  where  it  presented  a  dillerent  charac- 
ter ;  and  all  along  the  compass  of  the  Mexican  Gulf,  it 
is  peculiarly  so.  When,  therefore,  the  cry  was  uttered 
from  the  mast-head  of  "  land  on  the  weather-bow,"  it 
was  in  vain  that  we  who  stood  upon  the  quarter-deck 
strained  our  sight  in  order  to  discover  it.  Wc  saw 
nothing,  and  more  than  an  hour  elapsed  ere  any  object 
rose  upon  the  view,  calculated  to  satisfy  us  that  the 
look-out  seaman  had  not  reported  falsely.  At  length, 
hov.'C'.'er,  some  dark  specks,  resembling  the  masts  of 
ships  lying  at  anchor,  stood  between  us  and  the  hori- 
zon. As  the  vessel  held  her  course,  these  appeared 
gradually  to  assume  the  appearance  of  thick,  or  bushy 
substances ;  and  by  and  by  it  became  manifest  enough, 
that  we  were  gazing  upon  the  upper  branches  of  a 
grove  of  fir-trees.  As  to  the  leaves  and  roots,  how- 
ever, they  were  entirely  hidden  from  us.    The  entire 


•nmmmiMm 


;/ 


i 


ti 


T^ 


104 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


i 

*. 

I 


picturn  was  as  if  a  grove  of  cedars  had  been  lopped  ofT 
about  twelve  feet  from  the  ground,  as  if  the  higher 
branches:  had  been  suspended  by  some  unseen  rafter  in 
the  air,  whilst  the  stumps  being  cleared  away,  the  sea 
obtained  free  course  where  they  had  stood.  So  great 
was  the  refractive  power  of  the  atmosphere  in  these 
parts  :  and  so  very  low  the  beach  upon  which  this 
cedar  wood  was  iirowinjx. 

It  happened,  that  during  the  whole  of  the  10th  and 
11th,  the  winds  proved  baffling  in  an  extraordinary 
degree.  The  consequence  was,  that  we  were  not  only 
compelled  to  cast  anchor  each  evening  after  sunset, 
but  throughout  all  the  hours  of  daylight  we  could  only 
beat  off  and  on,  without  gaining  one  inch  of  way,  or 
approaching  one  jot  nearer  to  the  point  of  debarkation. 
On  the  11th,  however,  a  clear,  sharp,  and  bracing 
frost  set  in  ;  and  the  breeze  getting  slightly  round,  v  e 
managed  to  hold  our  course  so  well  that  at  noon  the 
inhospitable  beach  of  Chandeleur  Island  became  con- 
spicuous from  the  poop.  Never  have  I  gazed  upon  a 
spot  of  earth  more  wofully  barren  and  uninviting.  A 
low  red  sand,  just  rising  above  the  level  of  the  tide, 
seemed  to  give  nourishment  to  nothing  more  than  a  few 
miseiable  cypress  trees.  There  was  not  a  house,  hovel, 
or  any  other  symptom  of  a  human  habitation  to  be 
noted ;  no  batteries,  no  beacons,  no  watch-towers,  nor 
any  other  thing,  capable  of  proving  to  the  spectator, 
that  the  foot  of  man  had  ever  trodden  there.  I  need 
scarcely  add,  that  the  island  in  question  lies  at  the  en. 
traoce  of  Lake  Borgue,  and  thftt  it  forms  t||e  most 


I   i 


I 


If  I 


It   . 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


100 


advanced  district  of  West  Florida,  of  which  New  Or- 
leans  is  the  capital. 

Having  come  close  in  with  this  bleak  coast,  we  hove 
to,  but  refrained  from  casting  anchor  during  the  night, 
and  on  the  morrow  made  sail,  with  the  earliest  appear- 
nnce  of  dawn.  The  air  was  still,  clear  and  frosty,  and  the 
fleet,  steering  in  one  compact  body,  under  the  ravs  of  a 
brilliant  sun,  produced  one  of  the  most  striking  marine 
panoramas  which  it  has  been  my  good  fortun°c  to  be- 
hold.     But  its  progress  in  this  order  was  not  of  long 
continuance.     The  lake  which  we  had  entered  soon 
Incoming  shallow,  the  ships  of  war,  at  least  the  line  of 
battle  ships,  to  hinder  themselves  from  running  a  shore, 
were  obliged  to  anchor,-  and  then  began  a°sccne  as 
stiring  and  uncomfonable  as  the  imagination  can  very 
well  conceive.     The  troops  who  had  taken  their  pas- 
sage in  them  were  all  embarked  in  boats  and  trans- 
ported to  the  lighter  vessels,  which  became,  in  conse- 
quence, crowded  to  excess.     We  escaped  not  the  fate 
of  our  companions;  instead  often  officers,  the  evening 
of  the  12th  saw  full  twenty  huddled  into  one  small  cabin; 
yet  we  none  of  us  abated  one  jot  of  our  former  good 
liumour;  and  Charlton's  fiddle  being,  as  usual,  broufrht 
into  play,  we  danced  till  a  late  hour  in  the  morninfr. 
'i'his  was  the  last  ball  which  we  were  enabled  to  get 
up,  previous  to  the  disembarkation ;  it  was  the  last  in 
the  strictest  sense  of  the  term,  to  more  than  one  of 
those  who  took  part  in  its  merriment. 

On  the  14th  we  still  held  our  course,  without  any 
other  event  occurring,  except  that  in  the  evening  a 
squadron  of  boats  which  had  ^een  employed  in  the  at- 


.    .^1 
I 


■^■■m^^^i^^^A^ 


wmmm 


W 


•^^ 


I       ! 


f 


196 


A  BXTBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


tack  of  the  enemy's  flotilla,  passed  us.  IIow  they  fuu^ht 
and  conquered  on  that  occasion  it  is  unnecessary  lor 
me  to  relate  :  but  this  I  must  state,  that  they  were 
greeted  as  they  rowed  along,  with  loud  and  hearty 
cheers  which  their  brave  crews  failed  not  to  return. 
They  had  suffered  severely ;  but  they  had  completely 
opened  to  us  the  navigation  of  the  lakes,  besides  adding 
considerably  to  our  means  of  transport  by  the  reduction 
of  six  light  cutters,  which  General  Jackson  hid  sta- 
tioned here,  to  oppose  our  landing.  Th(i  same  remarks 
may  serve  as  a  narrative  of  our  proceedings  ca  the 
15th.  We  sailed  on,  till  at  last  even  we  took  the  ground  ; 
and  it  became  manifest  that  all  further  progress,  other- 
wise than  in  boats,  was  impossible. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  tor  -tic  to  state,  that  from  the 
moment  land  became  visible,  I  and  my  companions 
bcf^an  to  make  such  preparations  as  seemed  necessary 
for  our  disembarkation.  The  usual  supply  of  linen  ; 
that  is  to  say,  a  spare  shirt  and  pair  of  stockings,  were 
carefully  laid  aside  by  each  of  us  for  service-;  three 
days'  provisions  were  in  like  manner  cooked,  and 
packed  up ;  v.  hilst  as  much  of  rum  as  we  could  either 
Sparc  from  our  daily  allowance,  or  prevail  upon  the 
Master  to  issue  out,  was  put  into  a  large  horn.  Simi- 
lar precautions  had  been  taken  by  the  men ;  so  that 
from  the  evening  of  the  10th  we  were  ready,  at  a  mo- 
ment's notice,  to  step  upon  shore.  Not  the  slightest 
hurry  or  conPasion,  therefore,  ensued,  when  at  an  early 
hour  in  the  morning  of  16th,  it  was  announced,  that  a 
flotilla  of  boats  were  approaching  the  vessel,  and  that 
the  troops  would  be  required  to  load  them  without  de- 


! 


KR 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


197 


iW  they  fought 
necessary  Iot 
at  they  were 
J  and  hearty 
not  to  return, 
id  completely 
resides  adding 
the  reduction 
kson  hid  sta- 
samo  remarks 
xlings  en  the 
ik  the  grountl  ; 
•ogress,  other- 

tliat  from  the 
^  companions 
acd  necessary 
ply  of  linen ; 
ockings,  were 
service;  three 
cooked,  and 
c  could  either 
svail  upon  the 
horn.  Simi- 
mcn ;  so  that 
lady,  at  a  mo- 
t  the  slightest 
en  at  an  early 
3unced,  that  a 
ssel,  and  that 
m  without  de- 


lay. In  an  instant  evory  man  buckled  up  his  knap, 
sack  and  haversack,  putting  on  his  accoutrements,  and 
grasped  his  musket ;  and  when  the  leading  harge  drew 
up  alongside  the  gangway,  the  first  division  stood  in 
order  to  step  on  board.  In  something  less  than  half 
an  hour,  about  two  hundred  men,  with  a  competent 
supply  of  officers,  quitted  the  deck  of  No.  375  ;  and  in 
a  few  minutes  after,  the  squadron  began  its  voyage. 

Wo  were  so  far  fortunate,  that  the  day  chanced  to 
be  a  remarkably  fine  one.     There  was  little  wind,  it  is 
true,  and  the  little  that  blew,  blew  against  us,  compel- 
ling us  to  make  way  entirely  by  rowing ;  but  there  was 
no  stream  to  bear  up  against,  so  that  we  proceeded  at  a 
tolerably  rapid  rate.     As  we  went  in,  we  had  the  satis- 
faction  to  discover,  that  other  ships,  besides  ours,  were 
pouring  forth  their  inmates.  Nearly  one  hundred  boats 
of  diiferent  sizes  covered  the  surface  of  the  lake  ;  and 
as  they  were  all  crowded  with  soldiers,  not  less  than 
two  thousand  infimtry  moved  together  towards  the  land- 
ing place.     It  was  a  magnificent  spectacle.     What  an 
enemy  snugly  stationed  behind  stone  walls,  and  having 
a  few  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  at  their  command, 
would  have  thought  of  it,  I  know  not ;  but  it  appeared 
to  me,  that  no  opposition  could  possibly  hinder  such  a 
ibrce  from  gaining  the  shore ;  and  that  having  gained 
it,  no  army,  at  least  of  Americans,  would  have  the 
hardihood  to  dispute  with  it  its  ground  of  encampment. 
Fror    the  naval  oflicer  who  commanded  our  boat, 
we  learned,  that  there  was  no  intention  of  pushing  for 
the  main  land  to-day.     About  thirty  miles  from  the 

shipping,  and  not  less  than  twice  that  distance  from  the 

18 


1 


I      I 


i  )\ 


198 


A   SrBALTERW   IN   AMERICA. 


main,  was  a  small  desolate  spot  of  earth,  called  Pine 
Island,  upon  which  the  General  had  determined  to  col- 
lect  and  arrange  his  army,  previous  to  their  entrance 
upon  actual  service.  Of  this  place,  the  naval  officer 
who,  it  appeared,  had  already  visited  it,  gave  us  the 
most  discouraging  account.  It  was  indeed  a  misera- 
ble swamp ;  not  only  devoid  of  all  human  habitations, 
but  bare  even  of  trees  and  shrubs.  A  large  pond  or 
lake,  shallow  and  reedy,  occupied  its  centre ;  and  its 
edo-es  consisted  of  nothing  more  than  a  circle  of  sand, 
slightly  diversified,  here  and  there,  with  a  thin  coat  of 
herbage.  There  certainly  was  nothing  in  such  an  ac- 
count calculated  to  excite  any  overweening  expecta- 
tions of  comfort ;  yet,  to  confess  the  truth,  when  :he 
island  itself  appeared,  we  were  more  than  half  disposed 
t6  accuse  our  pilot  of  dealing  in  misrepresentations  ;  so 
far  did  the  reality  exceed  the  description  of  this  most 
melancholy  bank  of  sand. 

The  sun  had  set  ere  we  reached  the  landing  place, 
but  there  was  still  light  enough  lef\  to  convince  us,  that 
we  had  indeed  arrived  where  all  hope  of  comfort,  even 
in  the  limited  sense  in  which  soldiers  are  so  often  called 
upon  to  employ  that  phrase,  had  better  be  laid  aside  at 
once.  Two  stunted  firs,  with  about  half-a-dozen  syca- 
mores, formed  the  only  growth  in  the  whole  island  ; 
and  they  grew  out  of  a  soil,  which  manifestly  contained 
not  moisture  enough  to  nourish  any  other  vegetable 
substance  besides  themselves.  There  was  not  a  bank 
or  hill  to  shelter  us  from  the  blast,  nor  a  dell  or  green 
spot  upon  which  to  lie  down  ;  and  as  to  fuel,  unless  wf 
«ould  get  the  sea-beaten  plants  to  take  fire,  we  must 


h.. 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


109 


h,  called  Pine 
rmined  to  col- 
their  entrance 
3  naval  officer 
t,  gave  us  the 
leed  a  misera- 
an  habitations, 
large  pond  or 
cntre ;  and  its 
circle  of  sand, 
a  thin  coat  of 
in  such  an  ac- 
ening  expccta- 
uth,  when  :he 
n  half  disposed 
jsentations  ;  so 
1  of  this  most 

landing  place, 
nvince  us,  that 
"  comfort,  even 
so  often  called 
)e  laid  aside  at 
-a-dozen  syca- 
whole  island ; 
bstly  contained 
)ther  vegetable 
■as  not  a  bank 
I  dell  or  green 
fuel,  unless  wr 
fire,  we  must 


d  without 
say,  that 


make  up  our  minds  to  subsist  as  we  best  cou 
it.  I  have  no  wish  to  laud  myself  when  I 
few  men  are,  or  rather  were,  in  those  days,  less  mind 
ful  of  luxuries,  or  more  capable  of  enduring  hardships, 
but  I  must  confess,  that  I  could  not  contemplate  the 
prospect  now  before  us,  without  experiencing  a  degree 
of  alarm,  such  as  I  am  not  conscious  of  having  felt  on 
any  similar  occasion.  I  not  only  dreaded  the  sojourn, 
as  it  threatened  to  affect  myself,  but  I  trembled  for  the 
health  of  the  troops,  if  it  should  be  found  necessary  to 
keep  them  many  days  exposed  on  this  horrible  desert. 

Happily  for  us,  the  night  of  the  16th,  though  cold 
and  frosty,  proved  fair.  For  myself,  having  seen  my 
men  arranged  in  as  snug  a  situation  as  could  be  pro- 
cured for  them,  and  supermtended  the  fall  of  one  or 
'wo  of  the  trees,  I  returned  to  the  sea-side — the  boats, 
it  appeared,  had  received  orders  to  rest  their  crews  dur- 
ing the  night,  and  were  not  to  set  out  for  fresh  troops 
till  dawn;  I  gladly  availed  myself  of  the  circumstance, 
by  taking  up  my  abode  in  one  of  them.  We  spread  a 
sail  over  from  gunwale  to  gunwale,  and  lying  down 
under  the  seats,  contrived  to  sleep  as  soundly,  as  a 
very  cramped  position,  and  no  slight  suffering  from 
frost,  would  allow. 

It  was  still  dark,  when  a  general  stir  among  the 
sailors  warned  me  to  quit  my  uneasy  couch.  I  rose 
stiff  and  uncomfortable;  and  having  broken  my  fast 
with  a  little  hard  biscuit,  and  a  glass  of  rum,  I  proceed- 
ed to  the  ground  where  the  men  were  bivouacked.  I 
found  them  all  up  and  employed ;  not  from  any  appre- 
hension  of  an  attack,  or  because  the  had  fallen  insfinc- 


'» 


200 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


lively  into  their  old  customs,  but  because  they  felt 
the  necessity  of  motion  to  keep  their  blood  in  circula- 
tion, and  were  heartily  tired  of  their  uncomfortable 
lairs.  Their  fires,  poor  at  the  best,  were  all  burned 
out ;  and  as  there  is  no  period  of  the  day  so  severe  as 
that  which  hnmediately  precedes  the  dawn,  they  felt 
the  absence  of  fires  now  very  severely.  Some  accord- 
ingly set  to  work,  for  the  purpose  of  renewing  them, 
whilst  others  ran  about  to  recover  their  limbs  from  a 
state  of  absolute  torpitude.  But  as  day  dawned  upon 
them,  better  humour,  and  better  hopes,  began  to  pre- 
vail ;  and  when  the  sun  once  more  shone  out  in  splen- 
dour, not  a  murmur  could  be  heard,  from  one  end  of 
the  encampment  to  the  other. 

There  was  no  difficulty  in  discovering  that  Pine  Is- 
land, though  uninhabited  by  rational  creatures,  was  not 
entirely  devoid  of  animal  life.  Wild  fowl,  of  various 
descriptions,  abounded  here.  Flocks  of  geese,  duck, 
widgeon,  and  a  species  of  wood-pigeon,  careered  over 
our  heads  continually,  and  seemed  to  challenge  us  to  a 
pursuit.  We  had  brought  no  fowling-pieces  on  shore  ; 
we  came  with  no  idea  that  they  would  be  wanted,  or 
that  an  opportunity  of  using  them  would  be  furnished. 
But  my  friend  and  myself  made  a  couple  of  muskets 
supply  their  place  to-day,  and  set  out  at  an  early  hour 
in  quest  of  game.  To  say  the  truth,  we  were  but 
clumsily  equipped  as  sportsmen.  Our  powder,  taken 
from  his  Majesty's  stores,  might  have  passed,  in  the 
eyes  of  a  Norfolk  game-keeper,  for  small  shot;  whilst 
in  lieu  of  small  shot,  we  carried,  each  of  us  a  paper 
of  slugs ;  yet,  even  with  these  rude  instruments,  we 


Plftl 

i     1  i 

ktife.  1  ■ 

A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


201 


use  they  felt 
id  in  circula- 
incomfortable 
•e  all  burned 
'  so  severe  as 
\vn,  they  felt 
Some  accord- 
levving  them, 
!inibs  from  a 
Pawned  upon 
egan  to  pre- 
out  in  splen- 
1  one  end  of 

that  Pine  Is- 
ures,  was  not 
•1,  of  various 

geese,  duck, 
jareered  over 
llenge  us  to  a 
;es  on  shore ; 
le  wanted,  or 
be  furnished. 
3  of  muskets 
in  early  hour 
we  v;ere  but 
owder,  taken 
assed,  in  the 

shot;  whilst 
f  us  a  paper 
trumeuts,  we 


contrived  before  dark  to  bring  down  no  trifling  quantity 
of  birds,  for  which,  indeed,  the  stupidity  of  the  birds 
themselves  was  much  more  to  be  thanked,  than  our 
skill.  Of  the  wood-pigeon,  we  found  immense  covies ; 
which  sitting  down  upon  a  few  fir  trees  that  grew  at 
the  other  side  of  the  island,  permitted  us  to  approach 
under  the  very  branches,  and  even  when  we  fired, 
would  scarcely  shift  their  quarters  for  a  moment. — 
Those  which  were  not  killed,  barely  rose  at  the  report, 
wheeled  a  icw  times  round  their  roosts,  and  actually 
came  back  again  to  the  same  spot.  Had  our  shot  been 
somewhat  smaller,  we  might  have  killed  game  enough 
to  furnish  the  whole  regiment  with  a  meal ;  as  it  was, 
we  brought  back  about  three  dozen  of  birds  to  the 
camp. 

But  the  satisfaction  arising  from  the  consciousness 
that  we  had  thus  amply  provided  against  the  cravings 
of  hunger,  was  not  sufficient  to  console  us  under  the 
misery  of  a  night  of  incessant  and  tremendous  rain. 
It  appeared  to  mc,  whilst  I  was  lying  upc  ;  the  sand, 
exposed  to  this  pelting  shower,  that,  till  that  moment,  I 
had  never  known  what  rain,  real  genuine  rain,  was. 
My  cloak  atforded  no  protection  against  it ;  in  less  than 
half  an  hour  from  the  period  of  its  commencement,  I 
was  as  if  I  had  been  dragged  at  the  stern  of  one  of  the 
boats,  all  across  the  lake.  And  then  it  was  that  the 
absence  of  all  tolerable  fires  was  most  severely  felt. 
What  were  a  few  half-kindled  sticks,  sputting  and 
smouldering  upon  a  bare  heuch,  under  such  circum- 
stances. We  crept  around  them,  it  is  true,  and  held  our 

hands  by  turns  over  the  feeble  embers,  till  the  points 
18* 


1 

n\ 

\ 

i  1 ' 

1 

, 

.- 

; 

i 

k 

\   i  .      , 

202 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


of  our  fingers  became  half  baked ;  but  the  influence  of 
the  baking  extended  not  beyond  the  fingers,— our  bodies 
were  chilled  in  perfection.  In  a  word,  I  do  not  recol- 
lect, in  the  whole  course  of  my  military  career,  to  have 
sufiered  so  much  from  cold  or  damp  in  any  night,  as  I 
suffered  in  this  night  of  the  18th  of  December.  How 
the  bulk  of  the  unfortunate  black  troops,  of  whom  two 
battalions  had  joined  us  at  Ncgril  Bay,  stood  it  out,  I 
know  not.  But  this  I  do  know,  that  the  first  rumour 
which  reached  us  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  was,  that 
numbers  of  them  had  fallen  asleep  beside  their  fires, 
and  expired. 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


203 


3  influence  of 
,— our  bodies 
do  not  recol- 
ireer,  to  have 
ly  night,  as  I 
mber.  How 
of  whom  two 
ood  it  out,  I 
first  rumour 
9th  was,  that 
de  their  fires. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


The  progress  of  our  shooting  excursion  having 
brought  us  into  contact  with  a  greater  number  of  trees 
than  were  supposed  to  adorn  this  desolate  spot  of  earth, 
an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  saw  several 
working  parties  sally  forth,  bill-hook  in  hand,  to  fell 
them.  The  expedition  was  not  undertaken  in  vain. 
In  less  than  a  couple  of  hours  the  whole  of  the  south 
side  of  the  island  was  rendered  as  bare  and  bleak  as 
the  side  upon  which  we  had  landed,  whilst  the  bivouac 
presented  the  appearance  of  a  timber-merchant's  yard, 
so  numerous  were  the  trees,  bushes,  and  shrubs  which 
were  dragged  into  it.  It  is  probably  needless  to  add, 
that  of  the  fuel  thus  procured,  the  greatest  possible 
care  was  taken.  Like  the  food  and  liquor,  it  was  put 
under  the  charge  of  constituted  authorities  ;  and  logs 
and  branches  were  regularly  served  out  to  every  mess, 
proportionate  in  quantity  to  the  numbers  of  the  men 
who  composed  it. 

I  know  not  whether  the  Commissary-General  con- 
sidered himself  indebted  to  our  spirit  of  adventure  for 
this  very  valuable  accession  to  the  resources  of  the 
army,  but  he  either  gave,  or  appeared  to  give,  to  my 
friend  and  myself,  a  larger  portion  of  fire-wood,  than, 


I 


S04 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


^4  J 


Strictly  speaking,  ought  to  have  come  to  our  share. 
Among  the  pieces  issued  out,  there  were,  I  recollect, 
some  six  or  eight  long  pine  stakes,  not  unlike  the  poles 
with  which  the  Kentish  farmers  support  their  hops,  and 
the  Spanish  vine-dressers  their  grapes.     In  the  true 
spirit  of  veterans,  we  determined  not  to  throw  these 
away  by  burning  them.     On  the  contrary,  we  set  our 
servants  lO  work,  drove  -he  stakes  into  the  ground,  in 
bee-hive  fashion,  wtth  the  upper  extremity  inclining  to- 
wards one  another :  and  filling  up  the  interstices  with 
reeds  brought  from  the  swamp,  we  contrived  to  erect 
a  hut,  capable  of  affording  shelter  not  only  from  the 
cold  winds  which  occasionally  blew,  but  from  the  rain. 
Of  this  we  prepared  to  tal  e  possession  towards  sunset; 
but  Dr.  Baxter,  the  chief  medical  officer,  happening  to 
be  an  acquaintance  of  ours,  very  kindly  offered  us  a 
corner  in  his  hospital  tent,  and  the  offer  was  a  great 
deal  too  valuable  to  be  rejected.  We  resigned  our  own 
habitation  to  certain  of  our  less  fortunate  comrades,  and 
gladly  followed  our  host. 

Let  me  give  here  some  description  of  the  domecile 
into  which  we  were  introduced.  It  was  a  large  mar- 
quee, constructed  of  spars,  oars,  and  sails  of  boats. 
The  interior  might  measure  about  thirty  or  forty  feet 
in  length  ;  in  breadth  perhaps  half  that  extent ;  and  in 
height  something  less  than  twelve  feet.  Being  com- 
posed of  double  folds  of  canvass,  it  was  extremely  warm, 
and  perfectly  proof  against  the  weather.  Its  furniture 
consisted  of  casks,  pack-saddles,  sacks  filled  with  stores 
of  different  kinds,  canteens,  linen-chests,  and  cases  of 
surgical  instruments.     There  was  no  table,  nor  any 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


205 


I  our  share. 
,  I  recollect, 
ike  the  poles 
air  hops,  and 
In  the  true 
throw  these 
,  we  set  our 
ic  ground,  in 
inclining  to- 
erst  ices  with 
•ivcd  to  erect 
ily   from  the 
rom  the  rain. 
,'ards  sunset ; 
happening  to 
offered  us  a 
was  a  great 
Tucd  our  own 
onirades,  and 

the  domecile 

a  large  mar- 

lils  of  boats. 

or  forty  feet 

xtent ;  and  in 

Being  com- 

remcly  warm, 

Its  furniture 

led  with  stores 

I  and  cases  ol' 

ible,  nor  any 


boards  which  might  be  substituted  for  a  table ;  but  a 
quantity  of  dry  reeds  overspread  the  ground,  and  af- 
forded a  very  comfortable  sofa  for  its  inhabitants.  As 
yet  there  were  neither  sick  nor  wounded  to  occupy  it. 
On  the  contrary,  as  night  closed  in,  numbers  of  hale 
and  healthy  persons,  all  of  them  claiming  acquaintance 
with  the  Doctor,  presenting  themselves  at  the  door, 
and  our  hospitable  friend  made  no  scruple  about  re- 
ceiving them  all.  Lamps  being  lighted,  a  cask  of  ex- 
cellent brandy  was  broaciied,  and  with  the  aid  of  pipes 
and  cigars,  and  an  ample  flow  of  good  humour,  we 
passed  several  hours  after  a  fashion  which  reminded 
us  precisely  of  the  many  agreeable  evenings  which  we 
had  spent  in  winter-quarters  upon  the  Douro  and  the 
Nivelle. 

Such  was  our  condition  from  the  evening  of  the  16th 
to  the  morning  of  the  21st  of  December.  On  the  20th, 
indeed,  the  whole  army  was  reviewed,  and  a  new  dis- 
position of  the  troops  so  far  effected,  that,  instead  of 
three,  it  was  divided  into  two  brigades,  and  what  was 
termed  the  permanent  advance.  On  the  21st,  there 
came  into  the  camp  four  or  five  American  officers,  who 
had  deserted  from  General  Jackson's  army,  and  pro- 
posed  to  follow  our  fortunes,  whilst  a  few  warriors,  I 
believe  from  the  tribes  of  the  Cherokees  and  Chactaws, 
likewise  appeared  amongst  us.  With  the  former  per- 
sonages I  found  an  opportunity  of  holding  some  con- 
versation. When  asked  as  to  their  motives  for  desert- 
ing, they  made  no  hesitation  in  declaring  that  they  had 
come  over  to  the  side  which  they  believed  to  be  the 
strongest,  perfectly  satisfied  that  there  was  no  force  in 


S06 


A   SUBALTERN   IN    AMERICA. 


V  s- 


i-f 


Louisiana  capable  of  ofiering  to  us  any  serious  resist- 
ance. They  spoke  of  Gen.  Jackson  as  an  able  man ;  but 
as  one  so  hated  on  account  of  his  tyranny  and  violence, 
that  not  an  inhabitant  of  the  State  would  adhere  to  his 
standard,  after  they  beheld  the  British  flag  fairly  un- 
furled. They  gave  us,  in  short,  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  our  difFiculties  would  all  cease  as  soon  as  we 
reached  the  mainland.  With  such  a  prospect  before 
us,  the  reader  will  not  be  surprised  to  learn,  that  one 
feeling,  and  one  only,  pervaded  the  whole  armament. 
We  longed  for  the  moment  which  should  see  us  fairly 
in  the  field,  and  our  longings  were  soon  gratified. 

Whilst  the  troops  were  thus  amusing  themselves  in 
Pino  Island,  boats  from  every  ship  in  the  fleet,  trans- 
ports as  well  as  vessels  of  war,  were  assembling  in 
large  numbers  along  the  beach.  To  protect  the  rear 
against  annoyance,  each  launch,  as  well  as  some  of 
the  barges,  was  arr  J  with  a  twelve-pound  carro- 
nade  in  the  bows  ;  whilst  the  six  cutters  lately  captured 
from  the  enemy,  with  all  the  tenders  and  small-craft 
brought  from  the  Chesapeake,  prepared  to  accompany 
them.  In  spite  of  the  most  strenuous  exertions,  how- 
ever, it  was  found  that  the  means  of  transport  were  ex- 
tremely deficient.  After  every  thing,  even  to  the  captain's 
gigs,  had  been  put  in  requisition,  it  appeared  that  hardly 
one-third  of  the  army  could  move  at  a  time ;  but  even 
thus  our  leaders  determined  upon  entering  immediately 
upon  the  business.  They  were  well  aware,  that  no  de- 
lay could  possibly  bring  benefit  to  us,  whilst  every  hour 
of  respite  would  have  enabled  the  enemy  to  mature  hla 
plans  for  our  reception. 


I   ! 


i 


!l 


serious  resist- 
,  able  man ;  but 
y  and  violence, 
\  adbcro  to  his 
flag  fairly  un- 
reason to  be- 
as  soon  as  we 
irospect  before 
learn,  that  one 
ole  armament, 
d  see  us  fairly 


[gratified. 


r  themselves  in 
he  fleet,  trans- 
assembling  in 
rotect  the  rear 
M  as  some  of 
>pound  carro- 
lately  captured 
md  small-craft 
to  accompany 
ixertions,  how- 
isport  were  ex- 
to  the  captain's 
red  that  hardly 
time ;  but  even 
ig  immediately 
ire,  that  no  de- 
lilst  every  hour 
r  to  mature  hla 


A    SUBALTEBIf    IN    AMERICA. 


207 


At  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  22d,  the  ad- 
vance  of  the  army,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Thornton,  stepped  into  the  boats.     It  consisted  in  all 
of  alx)ut  fifteen  hundred  infantry,  two  pieces  of  light 
cannon,  and  a  troop  of  rockets,  and  it  wo-  accompa- 
nied  by  General  Kcane  in  person,  the  heads  of  tha 
engineer  and  commissariat  departments,  a  cjmpetent 
number  of  medical  oflicers,  and  the  Indian  chiefs.  Two 
of  the  deserters  were  likewise  put  on  board,  to  act  as 
guides  as  soon  as  we  should  land  ;  and  a  moderate  sup- 
ply  of  ammunition,  under  the  care  of  a  store-keeper,  was 
appointed  to  follow.  The  morning  was  dark  and  cloudy, 
and  a  cold  damp  wind  gave  promise  of  a  heavy  rain 
I'cfon;   many   hours   should  pass.     Nevertheless,  we 
pushed  off'  in  the  highest  possible  spirits,  and  only  re- 
pressed our  cheering  because  silence  had  been  strictly 
enjoined. 

The  boat  in  which  Charlton  and  myself  were  em- 
barked was  a  man-of-war's  barge,  rowed  by  six  oars 
of  a  side,  and  commanded  by  a  midshipman.  Besides 
the  seamen,  there  were  crowded  into  it  not  fewer  than 
sixty  men  and  four  officers,  so  that  the  full  complement 
amounted  to  scvcnty-cight  souls.  Under  these  circum- 
stances  the  si)acc  granted  to  each  individual  was  not, 
as  may  be  imagined,  very  commodious.  It  was,  indeed, 
by  no  means  an  easy  task  to  shift  our  postures  after 
they  had  once  been  assumed,  for  we  were  as  completely 
wedged  together  as  were  ever  a  child's  bricks  in  their 
box,  or  a  bundle  of  logs  in  what  is  called  a  cord  of 
wood.  As  long,  however  as  it  continued  dry  overhead, 
tiie  inconvenience  thence  arising  was,  comparative!/ 


\ 


208 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


speaking,  little  felt ;  but  we  had  not  proceeded  more 
than  a  mile  from  the  place  of  embarkation,  when  the 
black  clouds  suddenly  opened,  and  the  rain  fell  as  if 
a  liioi'.sand  shower-baths  had  been  all  at  once  opened 
upon  us.  Then,  indeed,  our  situation  became  comfort- 
less enough.  In  the  difficulty  of  aJjusting  ourselves  at 
all,  cloaks  and  greatcoats  necessarily  lost  their  clasps, 
and  the  neck  and  shoulders  were  left  bare.  There  was 
no  remedying  the  evil  now  ;  and  though  water  ran 
down  our  backs  and  shoulders  like  the  sewers  in  Lud- 
gate  Hill  after  a  thunder-storm,  yet  was  there  much  in 
the  appearance  of  all  about  us  calculated  to  carry  our 
thoughts  beyond  the  present  moment, — at  all  events,  to 
make  us  think  lightly  of  present  grievances.  Not  fewer 
than  an  hundred  boats,  of  all  shapes  and  sizes,  were 
making  way  in  regular  column  over  the  surface  of  the 
lake ;  they  were  all  filled,  to  repletion,  with  armed  men, 
and  not  a  sound  issued  from  them,  except  that  which 
the  rowing  occasioned,  and  an  occasional  word  of  com- 
mand uttered  by  those  in  authority.  Every  thing  was 
conducted  in  the  most  orderly  manner.  The  boats 
moved  in  lines  of  ten  a-breast ;  a  little  way  a-head  of 
them  sailed  a  couple  of  cutters  ;  the  like  number  pro- 
tected each  of  the  flanks ;  and  the  rear  was  covered 
by  three  traders.  There  were  appointed  officers  to 
each  division,  who,  placed  in  light  gigs,  flew  back- 
wards and  forwards  as  occasion  required, — hurrying 
on  those  that  lagged  behind,  and  checking  the  progress 
of  such  as  were  too  nimble ;  whilst  Sir  Alexander  Coch- 
rane, in  a  light  schooner,  kept  just  so  far  apart  as  to  see 
at  a  glance  how  things  were  going,  and  to  superintend 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


300 


«he  whole.  I  confess,  that  though  I  could  have  wished  for 
(Ine  weather,  I  could  not  help  looking  round  with  a 
feeling  of  the  highest  admiration.     Troops  advancing 
upon  land  present  an  imposing  appearance  no  doul : ; 
but  no  land  movement,  in  which  I  have  been  an  indif. 
ierent  spectator,  ever  struck  me  as  I  was  struck  by  the 
spectacle  now  in  view. 
We  were  well  aware  that  the  distance  from  Pine  Island 
to  the  Bays  do  Cataline,--tho  point  towards  which  our 
course  was  directed,— fell  not  short  of  eighty   miles, 
and  hence  that  there  was  but  slender  probability  of  our 
setting  foot  on  shore  before  the  morrow.  But  the  pro-. 
pcct  of  passing  the  night  cramped  and  cooped  up  as  w 
were,  was  certainly  not  hailed  by  any  one   with  cithe. 
satisfaction  or  indifFerence.     The  rain  bad  lidlcn  in 
such  quantities,  as  not  only  to  saturate  the  clutliiiig  of 
every  individual,  but  seriously  to  incommode  us°  by 
creating  a  pool  ankle-deep  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat, 
while,  on  account  of  our  crowded  state,  we  could  not 
succeed  In  baling  it.     It  ceased,  however,  at  last,  and 
was  succeeded  by  a  keen  frost,  and  a  northerly  wind 
as  sharp  and  cutting  as  any  mortal    would  desire  to 
'  ce.     I  need  not  say,  that  the  clfects  of  the  change 
were  perfectly  felt  by  us.     Wo  bore  it,  however,  with 
the  best  philosophy  which  we  could  muster;  and  if  a 
complaint   or  murmur  happened  from  time  to  time  to 
break  forth,  it  was  instantly  rendered  harmless   by 
some  rude  joke,  or  an  ironical  expression  of  pity. 

Such  was  the  state  of  the  weather,  in  our  not  very 
enviable  condition,  when  a  gig,  passing  along  from 
liont  to  rear  of  the  column,  gave  order  that  the  rowing 


I 


«-  -J 


i 


210 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


should  cease,  and  that  awnings  should  be  hoisted.  Both 
commands  were  instantly  obeyed ;  and  as  it  seemed 
probable  that  we  were  to  remain  stationary  for  the 
night,  we  easily  persuaded  our  pilot  to  light  a  fire.  I 
cannot  describe  the  nature  of  our  feelings,  as  the  pan 
of  charcoal  gradually  threw  out  its  lieat  on  all  sides. 
As  we  were  thoroughly  soaked,  and  our  garments  stiff 
with  ice,  1  hardly  know  whether  the  sudden  applica- 
tion of  external  heat  to  our  benumbed  limbs  .,as  pro- 
ductive of  pleasure  or  the  reverse.  But  of  whatever 
nature  our  sensations  might  be,  they  were  not  permitted 
long  to  exert  their  influence.  The  fire  was  condemned 
to  be  extinguished  ;  and  in  little  more  than  an  hour 
after  we  had  first  dropped  them,  the  grapplings  wer^ 
raised,  and  the  squadron  was  again  under  /eigh. 
'  As  day  dawned,  a  singularly  wild  and  uninviting 
waste  of  country  opened  out  before  us.  Wo  were  now 
within  a  stone's  throw  of  the  American  shore,  and  ran 
along  its  edge  in  search  of  the  mouth  of  the  creek.  It 
was  a  complete  bog.  A  bank  of  black  earth,  or  rather 
black  mud,  covered  with  tall  reeds,  constituted  the  sin- 
gle feature  in  (he  landscape.  Not  a  trace  of  human 
industry,  not  a  tree  or  bush  of  any  kind  or  description, 
not  even  a  mound  or  hillock,  served  to  break  in  upon 
the  sameness  of  scene.  One  wide  waste  of  reeds  alone 
met  the  eye,  except  at  the  very  edge  of  the  water, 
\vhere  the  slime  which  nourished  them  lay  slightly  ex- 
posed. For  some  time  this  cheerless  laii.i  :^  j  emended 
wholly  upon  one  side  of  us  ;  the  lakr  which  we  were 
crossing,  being  as  yet  too  wide  to  pernm  a  view  of 
lioth  shores  at  once ;  but  the  waters  became  gradually 


be  hoisted.  Both 
ad  as  it  seemed 
ationary  for  the 
)  light  a  fire.  I 
ings,  as  the  pan 
eat  on  all  sides, 
ir  garments  stiff 
sudden  applica- 
]  limbs  .,as  pro- 
But  of  whatever 
ere  not  permitted 
was  condemned 
3  than  an  hour 
^rapplings  wer^ 
ider  /cigh. 
and  uninviting 
Wo  were  now 
1  shore,  and  ran 
)f  the  creek.  It 
earth,  or  rather 
astituted  the  sin- 
trace  of  human 
id  or  description, 
:o  break  in  upon 
te  of  reeds  alone 
;e  of  the  water, 
I  lay  slightly  ex- 
1.1  a^/o  PMiended 
which  we  were 
irnui  a  view  of 
ecame  gradually 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


211 


more  and  more  narrow,  and  long  before  the  freshness 
of  the  morning  hau  passed  away,  land  was  visible  in 
every  direction.  It  was  now  manifest  that  our  point 
of  debarkation  could  not  be  very  remote ;  and  all  eyes 
were  in  consequence  turned  in  search  of  the  point  near 
which  wc  considered  it  to  be. 

At  length  the  mouth  of  a  creek  or  inlet,  wide  at  first, 
l>ut  rapidly  narrowing,  presented  itself.  Towards  it  the 
Admiral   immediately   directed    his   course;   but    the 
schooner  in  which  he  was  embarked  drew  too  mu'^h 
water,  and  in  a  few  minutes  went  aground.    Wc  could 
not  make  any  effort  to  relievo  him  from  his  awkward 
situation,  for  this  was  not  a  moment  at  which  serious 
delay  could  be  tolerated,  and  our  boats  were  all  too 
heavily  laden  already,  to  admit  of  their  taking  additional 
passengers  on  board.     Onwards,  therefore,  we  swept, 
the  banks  on  either  hand  closing  in  upon  us  more  and 
more  as  we  proceeded,  till  first  we  were  necessitated  to 
contract  our  front,  so  as  that  five  boats,  then  three,  and 
finally  that  only  cue  boat  should  move  a-brcast.     Wo 
were  now  steering  up  a  narrow  cut,  which  measured, 
at  its  widest  spot,  not  more  than  twenty  feet  across, 
and  which,  in  some  parts,  became  so  exceedingly  nar- 
row, that  the  rowers  ceased  to  dip  the  oars  in  the  water, 
and  propelled  us  by  punting  alone.     Yet  it  was  an  ad- 
mirable spot  for  the  conduct  of  a  secret  expedition.  As 
far  as  we  could  judge  from  the  appearance  of  the  soil, 
the  bogs  on  either  hand  seemed  quite  impassable  even 
for  infantry.    It  was  covered,  as  I  have  already  stated, 
by  reeds,  so  lofty  as  to  obscure,  in  the  most  effectual 
degree,  any  object  which  could  float  in  the  canal.    No 


^\  .^^^ 


ff 


I'     ''■  i 


212 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


eye  cou](l  therefore  watch  our  proceedings  ;  and  tliough 
we, too,  were  shutout  from  beholding  ,>''  thcr  objects 
besides  our  own  line  of  boats  and  the  /;ue  sky,  there 
was  not  a  man  amongst  us  who  entertained  the  slight- 
est apprelicrision    that  danger  could  be  near. 

Having  continued  our  progress  thus,  till  the  leading 
boats  took  the  ground,  preparations  were  made  to  land 
the  troops  as  speedily  as  possible.  With  this  view,  a 
party  of  sailors  were  directed  to  leap  on  shore ;  who 
soon  returned  with  intelligence  that  the  soil  was  suffi- 
ciently hrm,a?id  that  the  debarkation  might  take  place 
without  any  risk.  The  boats  which  were  a-head  lay 
so  near  to  the  bank,  that  the  people  who  manned  them, 
were  enabled  to  step  at  once  from  the  gun-wales  to 
the  bog ;  those  which  came  after  them  were  not  so 
conveniently  situated.  The  men  were,  in  consequence, 
directed  to  pass  on  from  boat  to  boat,  and  so  to  reach 
the  shore  from  one  point  only.  This  arrangement  ne- 
cessarily occasioned  both  delay  and  confusion  ;  but, 
hapj)ily  for  us,  there  was  no  enemy  near  to  avail  him- 
self of  either  ;  and  the  whole  advance  had  itself  safely 
in  bivouac  by  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  23d. 

Though  sulTering  still  in  no  sliglit  degree  from  the 
rain  of  yesterday  and  cold  of  last  night,  the  lighting  of 
lires  was  strictly  prohibited.  Concealment,  it  was  un- 
derstood, vvas  as  yet  the  great  object  in  view  ;  and  with 
the  attainment  of  it,  ttie  existence  of  fires  every  one 
felt  to  be  incompatible.  Yet  was  the  attempt  to  con- 
ceal our  landing  almost  immediately  abandoned.  The 
Admiral  and  General,  luiving  put  themselves  on  board  a 
jHg,  came  up  some  time  after  the  men  had  formed  ;  and 


;a. 

^s ;  am\  thougfr 
>!  '  thcr  objects 
/iuc  sky,  there 
ncd  the  slight- 
near. 

till  the  leading 
e  made  to  land 
th  this  view,  a 
in  shore ;  wlio 
;  soil  was  suffi- 
ight  take  place 
t'orc  a-hcad  lay 
)  manned  them, 
?  gun-wales  to 
n  were  not  so 
n  consequence, 
nd  so  to  reach 
rrangcmcnt  nc- 
onfusion  ;  but, 
ir  to  avail  him- 
lad  itself  safely 
ng  of  the  23d. 
'grcc  from  the 
,  the  lighting  of 
lent,  it  was  un- 
view ;  and  with 
fires  every  one 
ittcmpt  to  con- 
andoncd.  The 
?lves  on  board  a 
ad  formed ;  and 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


213 


;  sort  of  council  of  war  was  immediately  held,  as  to  the 
.lost  eligible  course  which  it  behoved  them  to  follow. 
A.S  yet  all  had  gone  on  well.    We  were  actually  estab- 
iished  on  land,  an  event  which  they  had  hardly  expect- 
■d  to  accomplish  so  easily  and  uninterruptedly.    What 
was  next  to  be  done  ?  Wc  were  not  long  left  irt  doubt 
on  this  head.     The  troops,  who  had  begun  to  scatter 
themselves  a  little  through  the  morass,  were  recalled 
to  their  ranks,  and  a  line  of  march  was  formed.  The  de- 
serters, placed  in  front,  served  as  guides. — they  were 
under  charge  of  the  advanced  guard,  and  directed  its 
movements, — and  the  little  column  set  forward,  quite 
indifferent  as  to  the  nature  of  the  service  in  which  it 
was  about  to  be  employed,  and  perfectly  satisfied  that 
success  must  attend  its  operations. 

I  know  not  by  the  use  of  what  terms  I  shall  be  best 
able  to  convey  to  the  reader's  mind,  some  notion  of  the 
nature  and  appearance  of  the  country  through  which 
our  first  movement  was  made.  The  bog,  though  soft, 
gave  not  way,  as  wc  had  expected  it  would,  beneath 
our  tread,  as  long  as  we  kept  close  to  the  margin  of 
the  creek,  though  any  extended  departure  from  that 
line  of  road  brought  us  into  a  perfect  quagmire.  Yet 
were  wo  compelled  to  move  slowly,  in  part,  because  the 
weeds  formed  an  obstacle  to  our  progress,  which  it  re- 
quired a  regular  body  of  pioneers  to  remove,  and  in 
part,  because  there  ran  up  from  the  canal,  here  and 
there,  wide  and  deep  ditches,  across  which  rude  bridges 
required  to  be  thrown,  before  we  were  enabled  to  pass 
them.  Of  the  scenery,  again,  all  that  can  be  said,  is,  that 

for  the  space  of  perhaps  three  or  four  miles,  it  never 
19* 


114 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA- 


J),     n 


I  i 


varied;  reeds,  and  reeds  ordy,  were  an-md  us,  broken 
in  upon  feebly  by  the  waters  of  the  canal.     At  length, 
however,  the  face  of  the  country  underwent  a  change. 
Wc  were  marching,  be  it  observed,  on  the  rig'iit  bank 
of  the  creek  :  on  the  left  a  few  miserably  stunted  cy- 
press trees  began  to  show  themselves.     As  we  pro- 
ceeded onwards,  these  became  more  and  more  numer- 
ous ;  and  at  last  formed  a  tolerably  close  wood.     On 
our  side,  however,  notiiing  of  the  kind  occurred,  till 
all  at  once  the  leading  companies  found  themselves  in 
front  of  some  open  fields,  skirted  by  an  orange  planta- 
tion, and  ornamented  by  two  or  three  farm  houses. 
These  were  the  first  symptoms  of  cultivation  which 
had  met  us  in  this  quarter  of  America;  and  it  will  be 
eaisily  credited,  that  in  our  eyes  they  possessed  a  thou- 
sand beauties,  which  men  more  accustomed  to  them 
wovld  not  in  all  probability  perceive.     But  they  were 
soon  passed  by  ;  and  then  the  entire  neck  of  fine  land 
on  which  New  Orleans  is  built,  became  visible.     Be- 
fore us  ran  the  mighty  Mississippi,  not  like  an  ordinary 
river,  but  like  an  inland  sea,  skirting  on  one  side  the 
narrow  isthmus,  which  the  marsh  and  lakes  skirt  on 
the  other.     Between  these  two  boundaries  the  whole 
space  covdd  not  measure  above  800  or  1000  yards  in 
width.     It  was  perfectly  level ;  at  least,  the  inequali- 
ties were  so  slight  as  not  to  catch  the  attention  of  a 
common  observer.     It  appeared  to  be  laid  out  every 
where  in  large  fields  of  sugar-cane.     I'liere  were  some 
half  dozen  houses  scattered  over  it,  one  of  which  be- 
ing surrounded  by  a  sort  of  village  of  huts,  conveyed 
the  idea  that  its  owner  must  be  a  person  of  some  con- 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


215 


i 
\ 
i 


nd  us,  broken 
1.  At  length, 
:ent  a  change, 
the  rigiit  bank 
ly  stunted  cy- 
As  we  pro- 
1  more  numer- 
ise  wood.  On 
I  occurred,  till 

themselves  in 
orange  planta- 
!  farm  houses, 
tivation  wliicli 

and  it  will  be 
ssessed  a  thou- 
tomed  to  them 
But  they  were 
:k  of  fine  land 
3  visible.  Bc- 
ike  an  ordinary 
n  one  side  the 
I  lakes  skirt  on 
iries  the  whole 
1000  yards  in 
t,  the  incquali- 
:  attention  of  a 
Iciid  out  every 
here  were  some 
e  of  which  be- 
huts,  conveyed 
n  of  some  con- 


sequence ;  but  the  rest  seemed  to  belong  to  substan- 
tial  farmers,  men  who  paid  more  regard  to  comfort  than 
to  ornament.  On  the  whole,  the  contrast  between  this 
picture  of  industry  and  ?ife  now  around  us,  and  the 
miserable  swamp  which  we  were  leaving  behind,  prov- 
ed  not  more  striking  than  it  was  agreeable. 

But  the  satisfaction  which  every  one  felt  at  being 
again  introduced  into  an  inhabited  world,  sutTered  some 
diminution  from  the  reflection,  that  in  case  anything 
like  activity  or  enterprise  should  guide  the  councils  of 
the  enemy,  we  were  exposing  ourselves  to  a  danger  far 
greater  than  any  which  we  had  yet  encountered.  The 
head  of  the  column  no  sooner  showed  itself  in  the  open 
country,  than  horsemen  were  seen  hurrying  at  their 
utmost  speed  along  the  o])])osite  bank  of  the  river,  to- 
wards  the  town.     Of  the  inhabitants  on  this  side,  too, 
several  were  known  to  have  escaped  ;  and  it  became 
evident  to  all,  that  in  less  time  than  we  had  expended 
in  proceeding  thus  far,  the  alarm  of  our  landing  would 
be  circulated  throughout  the  province.     At  this  June- 
ture,  to  the  honor  of  Colonel  Thornton  be  it  recorded, 
that  he  urgently  pressed  an  immediate  advance  upon 
New  Orleans.     We  were  already  less  than  ten  miles 
distant  from  it;  the  troops  were  fresh,  in  excellent 
spirits,  and  full  of  confidence ;  it  required  but  a  rapid 
journey  to  put  them  in  undisputed  possession.     But  to 
a  plan  so  bold,  our  ("rcneral  stoutly  opposed  himself. 
He  feared  to  leave  his  supplies  decidedly  behind  him; 
he  was  apprehensive    that  his  little  corps  might  be  at- 
tacked,  and  cut  oft'  by  overwhelming  numbers,  before 
reinforcements  could  reach  it ;  as  if  we  were  not  already 


I 


\^ 


> 


!10 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


•ut  off  as  efiectually  as  could  be  from  our  magazines, 
which  were  established  on  Pine  Island,  full  eighty 
miles  in  our  rear.  Acting  under  this  impression,  he 
would  not  listen  to  the  Brigadier's  suggestion;  but 
having  led  the  division  about  half  a  mile  towards  the 
town,  he  ordered  a  bivouac  to  be  be  formed,  and  the 
troops  to  refresh  themselves.  This  was  done.  The 
men's  arms  were  piled,  lines  of  fires  were  lighted  ;  and 
picquets  being  established,  so  as  to  protect  the  encamp- 
ment on  every  side,  the  main  body  regarded  themselves 
as  destined  to  pass  the  remainder  of  that  day  and  night 
in  quiet. 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


217 


ir  magazines, 
1,  full  eighty 
tiprcssion,  he 
Tgestion ;  but 
!  towards  the 
med,  and  the 
done.     The 
B  lighted ;  and 
;t  the  encamp- 
ed themselves 
day  and  night 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


It  loll  to  the  lot  of  my  friend  and  myself,  to  be  em- 
ployed this  day  on  outpost  duty  :  our  station  was  in  an 
open  field,  upon  the  right  front  of  the  camp,  and  we 
communicated  on  the  one  hand  with  a  party  of  rifles, 
and  on  the  other,  with  a  similar  party  of  the  8oth  re- 
giment. The  rifles  occupied  and  covered  the  main 
road,  wliich,  passing  all  along  by  the  V)anks  of  the  river, 
mns  up  from  the  extremity  of  the  province  to  New 
Orleans ;  we  posted  ourselves  a  little  to  the  right  of 
the  chateau,  of  which  I  have  already  taken  notice, 
whilst  the  detachment  that  arrived  on  the  lino,  faced 
the  cypress  wood,  and  bent  back  so  as,  in  part,  to  shol- 
tor  the  rear  of  the  encampment.  As  the  weather 
chanced  to  be  remarkably  favourable,  and  as  no  traces 
of  an  enemy  could  be  perceived,  we  very  naturally 
looked  forward  to  a  peaceable  and  pleasant  tour  of 
duty  ;  and  we  made  no  scruple,  as  well  ofwcers  as  men, 
to  wander  so  far  from  the  head  quarters  of  our  post,  as 
the  prospect  of  a  few  luxuries,  in  the  way  of  eating 


;ii 


l! 


219 


A.   SUBALTERN   IN    AMERICA. 


'     • 


^    s 


1^  r 


and  drinking,  invited.  The  sentinels  being  carefully 
planted,  Charlton  left  me  in  charge  of  the  guard,  whilst, 
with  a  few  followers,  he  hurried  oft'  to  the  cheatau,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  the  state  of  its  cellars  and  larder. 
He  was  not  long  absent ;  and  when  he  did  return,  he 
returned  not  empty-handed.  An  ample  supply  of  wine, 
with  a  cheese,  a  piece  of  bacon,  and  a  turkey,  fell  to 
our  share ;  whilst  the  men  were  made  happy  with  a 
moderate  allowance  of  brandy,  which  served  to  wash 
down  the  less  delicate  rations  of  pork  and  biscuit. 

We  were  thus  circumstanced,  and  evening  was  be- 
•jinning  to  api)roach,  when  there  suddenly  appeared, 
advancing  along  the  high  road,  a  corpse  of  some  two  or 
three  hundred  well  mounted  cavalry.  Our  picquets 
instantly  stood  to  their  arms,  and  the  buglers,  obeying 
the  orders  given  to  them,  sounded  the  assembly,  for 
the  purpose  of  putting  the  division  on  its  guard.  The 
enemy's  horse,  nothing  daunted  by  these  preparations, 
moved  on.  One  squadron,  continuing  to  occupy  the 
road,  the  rest  spreading  themselves  over  the  fields  ad- 
joining, came  down  at  a  brisk  trot,  apparently  with  the 
design  of  making  an  attack  upon  our  post.  The  sen- 
tinels, having  stood  till  they  had  arrived  within  point- 
blank  range,  gave  them  fire,  and  as  the  enemy  still 
pressed  on  at  a  canter,  they  fell  back.  Instantly  our 
people  extended  themselves,  and  darting  forward  to  a 
dry  ditch,  which  ran  a  little  in  front  of  their  station, 
threw  themselves  into  it,  and  made  ready  to  dispute 
their  ground  with  the  cavalry.  It  appeared,  however, 
that  the  reconnoitring  party  had  either  eflfected  their 
purpose,  or  had  done  as  much  as  they  deemed  it  prudent 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMEHICA. 


219 


eing  carefully 

guard,  whilst, 
;heatau,forthc 
lars  and  larder, 
did  return,  he 
apply  of  wine, 
turkey,  fell  to 

happy  with  a 
jrved  to  wash 
d  biscuit, 
ening  was  bc- 
:nly  appeared, 
of  some  two  or 

Our  picquets 
glers,  obeying 

assembly,  for 
3  guard.  The 
3  preparations, 

to  occupy  the 
■  the  fields  ad- 
ently  with  the 
St.  The  sen- 
l  within  point- 
le  enemy  still 

Instantly  our 
g  forward  to  a 

their  station, 
ady  to  dispute 
ared,  however, 

effected  their 
tned  it  prudent 


and  safe  to  do ;  for  they  ventured  not  within  a  hundred 
yards  of  us.     We  gave  them,  however,  a  few  random 
shots  ;  upon  which  they  pulled  up,  remained  for  a  mi- 
nute  or  two  stationary,  and  then  wheeling  about,  as  if 
by  word  of  command,  retired  in  the  most  perfect  order. 
It  was  not  so  with  those  upon  the  high  road.   Whether 
the  squadron  which  occupied  it  mistook  their  orders, 
or  whether  it  was  deemed  a  matter  of  consequence  to 
get,  in  that  direction,  as  near  the  camp  as  might  be,  I 
know  not ;  but  the  enemy  not  only  drove  in  the  senti- 
nels  there,   but  charged,   or   rather    endeavoured   to 
charge,  the  body  of  the  picquet  itself.     They  were  re- 
reived  by  the  rifles  with  a  close  and  well-directed  vol- 
ley,  which  killed  three  men  and  two  horses,  besides 
wounding  several  others,  and  the  rest  not  willing  to 
abide  another  discharge,  fell  instantly  into  confusion. 
They  galloped  back  with  the  same  precipitation  which 
had  distinguised  their  approach,  and  in  ten  minutes 
after  they  had  shown  themselves,  the  whole  body  was 
out  of  sight. 

This  was  the  very  first  occasion,  during  the  course  of 
our  Transatlantic  warfare,  that  the  Americans  had  in 
any  way  ventured  seriously  to  molest  or  threaten  our 
posts,  or  shown  the  smallest  disposition  to  act  vigor- 
ously  on  the  offensive.  I  cannot  deny  that  it  produced 
a  curious  effect  upon  us.  Not  that  we  experienced  the 
smallest  sensation  of  alarm.  W^e  held  them  in  too 
much  contempt  to  fear  their  attack ;  I  question  whe- 
ther we  did  not  wish  that  they  would  liazard  one ; 
yet  we  spoke  of  the  present  boldness,  and  thought 
of  it  too,  as  a  meeting  on  which  we  had  no  ways  cal- 


>J  '  ^ 


8:20 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


!    I 


culatcd,  and  for  which  wc  could  not  possibly  account. 
It  had  not,  however,  the  eftcct  of  exciting  an  cxiKicta- 
tion,  tha*  tlie  attenijjt  would  be  renewed,  at  least  in 
force ;  and  though  we  unquestionably  looked  upon  our 
Ix)sition,  from  that  moment,  with  a  more  cautious  eye, 
we  neither  felt  nor  acted  upon  the  supposition,  that  any 
serious  dango-  would  be  incurred,  till  we  ourselves 
should  seek  it.  Nothing  occurred  during  the  remain- 
ing hours  of  daylight,  calculated  to  produce  any  change 
in  these  anticii)ations.  The  enemy  made  their  appear- 
ance no  more ;  and  liaving  carefully  ascertained  that 
an  unbroken  chain  of  videttes  was  established ;  having 
examined  our  men's  arms,  satisfied  ourselves  that  they 
were  in  good  order,  and  taken  other  necessary  prccau  • 
tions,  wc  trinnncd  our  fires,  as  darkness  thickened,  and 
drew  near  tlieni. 

Charlton  and  I  were  in  the  act  of  smoking  our  cigars, 
the  men  having  laid  themselves  down  about  the  blaze, 
when  word  was  passed  from  sentry  to  sentry,  and  in- 
telligence communicated  to  us,  that  all  was  not  right 
towards  the  river.     We  started  instantly  to  our  feet. 
The  fire  was  hastily  smothered  up,  and  the  men  snatch- 
in"  their  arms,  stood  in  line,  ready  to  act  as  circum- 
stances might  require.     So  dense,  however,  was  the 
darkness,  and  so  dazzling  the  effect  of  the  glare  from 
the  bivouac,  that  it  was  not  possible,  standing  where  we 
stood,  to  form  any  reasonable  guess  as  to  the  cause  of 
this  alarm.     That  an  alarm  had  been  excited,  was  in- 
deed perceptible  enough.     Instead  of  the  deep  silence 
which  five  minutes  ago  had  prevailed  in  tne  bivouac,  a 
strange  hubbub  of  shouts,  and  questions,  and  as  many 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


221 


sibly  account, 
ig  an  cxiKicta- 
;d,  at  least  in 
aked  upon  our 

cautious  eye, 
sition,  that  any 

wc  ourselves 
ig  the  reniain- 
ice  any  change 
e  their  appear- 
scertained  that 
lished;  having 
selves  that  they 
;essary  precau^ 
thickened,  and 

ing  our  cigars, 
bout  the  blaze, 
sentry,  and  in- 
was  not  right 
ly  to  our  feet, 
he  men  snatch- 
act  as  circum- 
vever,  was  the 
the  glare  from 
ding  where  wc 
to  the  cause  of 
jxcited,  was  in- 
ledeep  silence 
I  tne  bivouac,  a 
IS,  and  as  many 


cries,  rose  up  the  night  air;  nor  did  many  minutes 
elapse,  ere  first  one  musket,  then  three  or  four,  then  a 
whole  platoon,  were  discharged.  The  reader  will  easily 
believe,  that  the  latter  circumstance  startled  us  prodi- 
giously, ignorant  as  we  were  of  the  cause  which  pro- 
duced  it,  but  it  required  no  very  painful  exertion  of 
patience  to  set  us  right  on  this  head ;  flash,  flash,  flash, 
came  from  the  river;  the  roar  of  cannon  followed,  and 
the  light  of  her  own  broadside  displayed  to  us  an  ene- 
my's vessel   at   anchor  near  the  opposite  bank,  and 
pouring  a  perfect  shower  of  grape  and  round  shot,  into 
the  camp. 

For  one  instant,  and  only  for  an  in,stant,  a  scene  of 
alarm  and  consternation  overcame  us ;  and  we  almost 
instinctively   addressed   to   each   other  the    question, 
"  What  can  all  this  mean  ?"    But  the  meaning  was  too 
palpable  not  to  be  understood  at  once.     "  The  thin-- 
cannot  end  here,"  said  we— "a  night  attack  is  com" 
mencing ;"  and  we  made  no  delay  in  preparing  to  meet 
it.     Whilst  Charlton  rcmaineJ  with  the  jiicquct,  in  rca- 
diness  to  act  as  the  events  might  demand,  I  came  for- 
ward to  the  sentries,  for  the  purpose  of  cautioning  them 
against  paying  attention  to  what  might  pass  \n  their 
rear,  and  keeping  them  steadily  engaged  in  watching 
their  front.     The  men  were  fully  alive  to  the  peril  oT 
(heir  situation.     They  strained  with  their  hearing  and 
eyesight  to  the  utmost  limits ;  but  neither  sound  nor 
sight  of  an  advancing  column  could  be  perceived.    At 
last,  however,  an  alarm  was  given.     One  of  the  rifles 
challenged— it  was  the  sentinel  on  the  high  road ;  the 
tcntinel  who  communicated  with  him  challcnf^ed  also  • 
20 


—  -    V  I     I 


Vi 

}( 

!        ! 

■1 

;i  ? 

i      f 

t^HH 

a     "■■ 

'i 

m 

1 

m 

.^1 

1 
1 

522 


A   St'BALlTERff    IN   AUKUtCA* 


find  tlio  pry  was  taken  up  from  man  to  man,  til!  otrf 
own  most  remote  sentry  caught  it.  I  flew  to  his  sta* 
tion ;  and  sure  enough  the  tramp  of  many  feet  wa» 
most  ilistinctiy  audible.  Having  taken  the  precaution 
to  carry  an  orderly  forward  with  me,  1  caused  him  to 
liurry  back  to  Charlton  with  intelligence  of  what  was 
coming,  and  my  earnest  recommendation  that  he  would 
lose  no  time  in  occupying  the  ditch.  I  had  hardly 
done  so,  when  the  noise  of  a  column  deploying  was 
distinctly  heard.  The  tramp  of  horses,  too,  came  min- 
gled with  the  tread  of  men  ;  in  a  word,  it  was  quite  evi- 
dent, that  a  large  force,  both  of  infantry  and  cavalry, 
was  before  us. 

There  was  a  pause  at  this  period  of  several  moments, 
as  if  the  enemy's  line,  having  effected  its  formation,  had 
Halted,  till  some  other  arrangement  should  be  completed  ; 
but  it  was  quickly  broke  On  they  came,  as  far  as  we 
could  judge  from  the  sound,  in  steady  array,  till  at 
length  their  line  could  be  distinctly  seen  rising  through 
tiie  gloom.  The  sentinels  with  one  consent  gave  their 
tire.  They  gav?  it  regularly,  and  etfcctively,  beginning 
with  the  rifles  ov  their  left,  and  going  oft'  towards  the 
SAth  on  their  right,  and  then,  in  obedience  to  their  or- 
ders, fell  bark.  But  they  retired  not  unmolested. 
This  straggling  discharge  on  our  part,  seemed  to  be  the 
signal  to  the  Americans  to  begin  the  battle,  and  they 
[)Oured  in  such  a  volley,  as  must  have  proved,  had  any 
determinate  objeft  been  opposed  to  it,  absolutely  mur- 
derous. But  our  scattered  videttes  almost  wholly  es- 
caped it ;  whilst  over  the  main  body  of  the  picquet, 


'■At 

0  man,  til!  ouf 
lew  to  his  sta* 
lany  feet  was 
the  precaution 
caused  him  to 
i  of  what  was 
n  that  he  would 

I  had  hardly 

deploying  was 

too,  came  min- 

t  was  quite  evi- 

ry  and  cavalry, 

vcral  moments, 
5  formation,  had 
d  be  completed ; 
le,  as  far  as  we 
y  array,  till   at 

1  rising  through 
isent  gave  their 
vely,  beginning 
off  towards  the 
nee  to  their  or- 
ot  unmolested, 
leemed  to  be  the 
)attle,  and  they 
irovcd,  had  any 
ibsolutely  mur- 
lost  wholly  es- 
of  the  picquet, 


A    SUBALTERN    IN    AMERM  A. 


223 


sheltered  as  it  was  by  the  ditch,  and  considerably  re- 
moved  from  its  line,  it  passed  entirely  harmless. 

Having  fired  this  volley,  the  enemy  loaded  again,  and 
advanced.  We  saw  them  coming,  and  iiavmg  waited 
till  we  judged  that  they  were  within  excellent  range, 
we  opened  our  fire.  It  was  returned  in  tenfold  force, 
and  now  went  on,  for  a  full  half  hour,  as  iteavy  and 
close  a  discharge  of  musketry  as  troops  have  perhaps 
over  faced.  Confident  in  their  numbers,  and  led  on,  as 
it  would  appear,  by  brave  officers,  the  Americans  dashed 
forward  till  scarcely  ten  yards  divided  us;  bur  our  po- 
sition  was  an  admirable  one,  oiir  men  were  steady  and 
cool,  and  they  penetrated  no  farther.  On  the  contrary, 
we  drove  them  back,  more  than  once,  with  a  loss  which 
their  own  inordinate  multitude  tended  only  to  render 
the  more  severe. 

The  action  might  have  continued  in  this  state  about 
two  hours,  when,  to  our  horror  and  dismay,  the  ap. 
proaching  fire  upon  our  right  flank  and  rear,  gave  tes- 
timony  that  the  picquet  of  the  85th,  which  had  been  in 
communication  with  us,  was  forced.  Unwilling  to  aban- 
don  our  ground,  which  we  had  hitherto  held  with  such 
success,  we  clung  for  a  while  to  the  idea  that  the  re- 
verse  in  that  quarter  might  be  only  temporary,  and  that 
the  arrival  of  fresh  troops  might  yet  enable  us  to  con- 
tinue the  battle  in  a  position  so  eminently  favourable  to 
us.  But  we  were  speedily  taught  that  our  hopes  were 
without  foundation.  The  American  war-cry  was  be- 
hind  us.  We  rose  from  our  lairs,  and  endeavoured,  as 
we  best  could,  to  retire  upon  the  right,  but  the  effort 
was  fruitless.    There  too  the  enemy  had  established 


If 


224 


A   SUBALTERN   IN  AMERICA. 


themselves,  and  wc  were  surrounded.  "  Let  us  cut  our 
way  through,"  cried  wc  to  the  men.  The  brave  fel- 
lows answered  only  with  a  shout;  and  collecting  into  a 
small  compact  lino,  prepared  to  use  their  bayonets.  In 
a  moment  we  had  ponetrafed  the  centre  of  an  Ameri- 
can division ;  but  the  numbers  opposed  to  us  were  over- 
whelming; our  close  order  was  lost;  and  the  contest 
became  tliat  of  man  to  man.  I  have  no  language  ad- 
equate to  describe  what  followed.  For  myself,  I  did 
what  I  could,  cutting  and  thrusting  at  the  multitudes 
about  me,  till  at  last  I  found  myself  fairly  hemmed  in 
by  a  crowd,  and  my  sword-arm  mastered.  One  Ame- 
rican had  grasped  me  round  the  waist,  another,  seizing 
my  wrist,  attempted  to  disarm  me,  whilst  a  third  was 
prevented  from  plunging  his  bayonet  into  my  body,  only 
by  the  fear  of  stabbing  one  or  other  of  his  countrymen. 
I  struggled  hard,  but  they  fairly  bore  me  to  the  ground. 
The  reader  will  well  believe,  that  at  this  juncture  I  ex- 
pected nothing  else  than  instant  death ;  but  at  the  mo- 
ment when  I  fell,  a  blow  upon  the  head  with  the  butt- 
end  of  a  musket  dashed  out  the  brains  of  the  man  who 
kept  his  hold  upon  my  sword-arm,  and  it  was  freed. 
I  saw  a  bayonet  pointed  to  my  breast,  and  I  intuitively 
made  a  thrust  at  the  man  who  wielded  it.  The  thrust 
took  effect,  and  he  dr'^ppcd  dead  beside  me.  Delivered 
now  from  two  of  my  enemies,  I  recovered  my  feet,  and 
found  that  the  hand  which  dealt  the  blow  to  which  my 
preservation  was  owing,  was  that  of  Charlton.  There 
were  about  ten  men  about  him.  The  enemy  in  our 
front  were  broken,  and  we  dashed  through.  But  wo 
were  ^gaiu  hemmed  ip,  and  again  \t  was  fought  han4 


A   SUBALTEBN    IN    AMERICA. 


ii'45 


'  Ix!t  US  cut  our 
The  brave  fcU 
oUecting  into  a 
bayonets.  In 
3  of  an  Ameri- 
0  us  were  ovcr- 
nd  the  contest 
)  language  ad- 
r  myself,  I  did 

the  multitudes 
:ly  hemmed  in 
d.  One  Ame- 
mother,  seizing 
list  a  third  was 
my  body,  only 
is  countrymen. 
!  to  the  ground. 
;  juncture  I  ex- 
but  at  the  mo- 
with  the  butt- 
)f  the  man  who 
id  it  was  freed, 
nd  I  intuitively 
t.  The  thrust 
ne.  Delivered 
ed  my  feet,  and 
V  to  which  my 
arlton.     There 

enemy  in  our 
)ugh.  But  wo 
Ls  fought  han<i 


to  hand,  with  that  degree  of  determination,  which  the 
assurance  that  life  and  death  were  on  the  issue,  could 
alone  produce.  There  cannot  be  a  doubt  that  we  should 
have  fallen  to  a  man,  had  not  the  arrival  of  fresh  trooj)s 
at  this  critical  juncture  turned  the  tide  of  afl'uirs.  As 
it  was,  little  more  than  a  third  part  of  our  picquet  sur- 
vived; the  remainder  being  either  killed  or  taken;  and 
both  Charlton  and  myself,  though  not  dangerously, 
were  wounded.  Charlton  had  received  n  heavy  blow 
upon  the  shoulder,  whicii  almost  disabled  him,  whilst 
my  neck  bled  freely  from  a  thrust,  which  the  intervfvn- 
tion  of  a  stout  leathern  stock  alone  hindered  from  being 
fatal.  But  the  reinforcement  gave  us  all,  in  spite  ol 
wounds  and  weariness,  fresh  courage,  and  we  renewed 
the  battle  with  alacrity. 

In  the  course  of  the  struggle  in  which  we  had  been 
engaged,  we  had  been  borne  considerably  out  of  the 
lino  of  our  first  position,  and  now  found  that  the  main- 
road,  and  the  picquet  of  the  rifles,  were  close  in  our 
rear.  We  were  still  giving  way— for  the  troops  op- 
posed  to  us  could  not  amount  to  less  than  fifteen  hun- 
dred men,  whilst  the  whole  force  on  our  part  came  not 
up  to  one  hundred — when  Captain  Harris,  major  of  bri- 
gade to  Colonel  Thornton,  came  up  with  an  additional 
company  to  our  support.  Making  way  for  them  to  fall 
in  between  us  and  the  rifles,  we  took  ground  once  more 
to  the  right,  and  driving  back  a  body  of  the  enemy 
which  occupied  it,  soon  recovered  the  position  from 
which  we  had  been  expelled.  But  we  did  so  with  the 
toss  of  many  brave  men,  and,  among  others,  of  Captain 

Harris.     He  was  shot  in  the  lower  part  of  the  bellv  at 
20  ^  ^ 


i 


ill 


M 


I'j 


'  I  ^ 

I 


i' 


226 


A   3UBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


l'-^ 


ll 


the  same  instant  that  a  musket-ball  struck  the  hilt  of 
his  sword,  and  forced  it  into  his  aide.  Once  more  es- 
tablished in  our  ditch,  we  paub  jd,  and  from  that  mo- 
ment till  the  battle  ceased  to  rage  we  never  changed  our 
attitude. 

It  might  be  about  one  o'clock  in  the  morning — the 
American  force  in  our  front  having  fallen  back,  and  we 
having  been  left  for  a  full  half  hour  to  breathe,  when 
sudden  ly  the  head  of  a  small  column  showed  itself  in 
full  advance  towards  us.     Wc  were  at  this  time  amply 
supported  by  other  troops,  as  well  in  communication  as 
in  reserve ;  and  willing  to  annihilate  the  corps  now  ap- 
proaching, we  forbade  the  men  to  fire  till  it  should  be 
mingled  with  us.     Wc  did  even  more  than  this.     Open- 
ing a  passage  for  them  through  our  centre,  we  permit- 
ted some  hundred  and  twenty  men  to  march  across  our 
ditch,  and  then  wheeling  up,  with  a  loud  shout,  we  com- 
pletely enclosed  them.     Never  have  I  witnessed  a  panic 
more  perfect  or  more  sudden  :liau  that  which  seized 
them.     They  no  sooner  beheld  the  snare  into  which 
they  had  fallen,  than  \vith  one  voice  they  cried  aloud 
for  quarter;  rmd  they  were  to  a  man  made  prisoners 
on  the  spot.     The  reader  will  smile  when  he  is  inform- 
ed that  the  little  corps  thus  captured  consisted  entirely 
of  members  of  the  legal  profession.     The  barristers, 
attorneys,  and  notaries  of  New  Orleans  having  formed 
themselves  into  a  volunteer  corps,  accompanied  General 
Jackson  in  his  operations  this  night;  and  thev were  all, 
without  a  solitary  exception,  made  prisoners.     It  is  pro- 
I)ably  needless  to  add,  that  the  circumstance  was  pro- 
ductive of  no  trifling  degree  of  mirth  amongst  us;  and 


ick  the  hilt  of 
Dnce  more  es- 
rom  that  mo- 
or changed  our 

morning — the 
n  back,  and  we 
breathe,  when 
bowed  itself  in 
his  time  amply 
mmunication  as 
corps  now  ap- 
11  it  should  be 
in  this.     Open- 
tre,  we  permit- 
arch  across  our 
1  shout,  we  com- 
itncssed  a  panic 
It  which  seized 
lare  into  which 
hey  cried  aloud 
made  prisoners 
en  he  is  inform- 
>nsistcd  entirely 
The  barristers, 
3  having  formed 
apanied  General 
id  thc}  were  all, 
ners.     It  is  pro- 
tance  was  pro- 
imongst  us;  and 


A   SUBALTERN   IN  AMERICA* 


22T 


to  do  them  justice,  the  poor  lawyers,  as  soon  as  they 
recovered  from  their  first  alarm,  joined  heartily  in  our 
laughter. 

This  was  the  last  operation  in  which  we  were  en-, 
gaged  to-night.  The  enemy,  repulsed  on  all  sides,  re- 
treated with  the  utmost  disorder,  and  the  whole  of  the 
advance,  collecting  at  the  sound  of  the  bugle,  drew  up, 
for  the  first  time  since  the  commencement  of  the  affair, 
in  a  continuous  line.  We  took  our  ground  in  front  of 
the  bivouac,  having  our  right  supported  by  the  river, 
and  our  left  covered  by  the  chateau  and  village  of  huts. 
Among  these  latter  the  cannon  were  planted ;  whilst 
the  other  divisions,  as  they  cam.e  rapidly  up,  took  post 
beyond  them.  In  this  position  we  remained,  eagerly 
desiring  a  renewal  of  the  attack,  till  dawn  began  to 
appear,  when,  to  avoid  the  fire  of  the  vessel,  the  ad- 
vance  once  more  took  shelter  behind  the  bank.  The 
first  brigade,  on  the  contrary,  and  such  portion  of  the 
■second  as  had  arrived,  encamped  upon  the  plain,  so  as 
to  rest  their  right  upon  the  wood ;  and  a  chain  of  pic- 
quets  being  planted  along  the  entire  pathway,  the  day 
was  passed  in  a  state  of  inaction. 

I  hardly  recollect  to  have  spent  fourteen  or  fifteen 
hours  with  less  comfort  to  myself  than  these.  In  the 
hurry  and  bustle  of  last  night's  engagement,  my  ser- 
vant, to  whose  care  I  had  entrusted  my  cloak  and  hav- 
ersack, disappeared ;  he  returned  not  during  the  entire 
morning ;  and  as  no  provisions  were  issued  out  to  us, 
nor  any  opportunity  given  to  light  fires,  I  was  compel- 
led to  endure,  all  that  time,  the  extremes  of  hunger, 
weariness,  and  cold.    As  ill  luck  would  have  it,  too, 


• 


i 


M 
■I 


i 


!?1 


ii 


I 


» 


'' .' 


S28 


A  SUBALTERN   IN   AMEBiCA' 


the  day  chanced  to  be  remarkably  severe.  There  wa» 
no  rain,  it  is  true,  but  the  sky  was  covered  with  gray 
clouds ;  the  sun  never  once  pierced  them,  and  a  frost, 
or  rather  a  vile  blight,  hung  upon  the  atmosphere  from 
morning  till  night.  Nor  were  the  objects  which  occu- 
pied our  senses  of  sight  and  hearing,  quite  such  as  we 
should  have  desired  to  occupy  them.  In  other  parts  of  the 
field,  the  troops,  not  shut  up  as  we  were,  by  the  enemy's 
guns,  employed  themselves  in  burying  the  dead,  and 
otherwise  effacing  the  traces  of  warfare.  The  site  of  our 
encampment  continued  to  be  strewed  with  carcasses  to 
the  last;  and  so  watchful  were  the  crew  of  the  tsehoout  r, 
that  every  effort  to  convey  them  out  of  sight,  brought  u 
heavy  fire  upon  the  party  engaged  in  ii.  I  must  say, 
that  the  enemy's  behaviour  upon  the  present  occasion, 
wae  not  such  as  did  them  honour.  The  liousc  which 
General  Kcan  had  originally  occupied  as  head-quarters, 
being  converted  into  an  hospital,  was  filled  at  this  time 
with  wounded,  both  from  the  British  and  American  ar- 
mies. To  mark  its  uses,  a  yellow  flag,  the  usual  signal 
in  such  cases,  was  hoisted  on  the  roof — yet  did  the 
Americans  continue  to  hre  at  it,  as  often  as  a  group  of 
six  or  eight  persons  happened  to  show  themselves  at 
the  door.  Nay,  so  utterly  regardless  were  they  of  the 
dictates  of  humanity,  that  even  the  parties  which  were 
in  the  act  of  conveying  the  wounded  from  place  to 
place,  escaped  not  without  molestation.  More  than 
one  such  party  was  dispersed  by  grape-shot,  and  more 
than  one  poor  maimed  soldier  was  in  consequence 
hurled  out  of  the  blanket  in  which  he  was  borne. 
The  reader  will  not  doubt  me  when  I  sav,  that  seU 


'¥ 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


229 


'1 


,  There  wa» 
ed  with  gray 
I,  and  a  frost, 
osphere  from 
5  which  occu- 
e  such  as  wo 
er  parts  of  the 
y  the  enemy's 
the  dead,  and 
7he  site  of  our 
1  carcasses  to 

thetfchoouer, 
fht,  brouglit  u 

I  must  say, 
sent  occasion, 

house  which 
icad-quarters, 
;d  at  this  time 
American  ar- 
e  usual  siirnal 
— yet  did  the 
as  a  group  of 
themselves  at 
re  they  of  the 
IS  whicli  were 
roni  place  to 
More  than 
lot,  and  more 

consequence 
3  borne, 
sav,  that  sel- 


dom has  the  departure  of  daylight  been  more  anxious- 
ly looked  for  by  me,  than  we  looked  for  it  now.    It  is 
true,  that  the  arrival  of  a  little  rum  towards  evening, 
served  in  some  slight  degree  to  elevate  our  spirits;  but 
we  could  not  help  feeling,  not  vexation  only,  but  posi- 
tive indignation,  at  the  state  of  miserable  inaction  to 
which  we  were  condemned.     There  was  not  a  man 
amongst  us  who  would  have  hesitated  one  moment, 
had  the  choice  been  submitted  to  him,  whether  he  would 
advance  or  lie  still.     True,  we  might  have  suffered  a 
little,  because  the  guns  of  the  schooner  entirely  com- 
manded  us  ;  and  in  rushing  out  from  our  place  of  con- 
cealment, some  casualties  would  have  occurred  ;  but  so 
irksome  was  our  situation,  that  we  would  have  readily 
run  all  risks  to  change  it.     It  suited  not  the  plans  of 
our  General,  however,  to  indulge  these  wishes.     To 
the  bank  we  were  enjoined  to  cHng;  and  we  did  cling 
to  it,  from  the  coming  in  of  the  first  gray  twilight  of 
the  moruing,  till  the  last  twilight  of  the  evening  had  de- 
parted. 

As  soon  as  it  was  well  dark,  the  corps  to  which 
Charlton  and  myself  were  attached,  received  orders  to 
file  ofl:*  to  the  right.  We  obeyed,  and  passing  along 
the  front  of  the  hospital,  we  skirted  to  the  rear  of  the 
village,  and  established  ourselves  in  the  field  beyond. 
It  was  a  positive  blessing  this  restoration  to  something 
like  personal  freedom.  The  men  set  busily  to  work, 
lighting  fires  and  cooking  provisions ;— the  officers 
Btrolli  about,  with  no  other  apparent  design  than  to 
give  employment  to  their  limbs,  which  had  become  stiff 
\yitli  so  protracted  j^  state  of  inaction.    For  ourselves, 


I 


I 


i  'i 


i 


■J^ 


i. 


I     l\ 


230 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


m 


we  visited  the  wounded,  said  a  few  kind  words  to  such 
as  we  recognized,  and  pitied,  as  they  deserved  to  be 
pitied,  the  rest.  Then  retiring  to  our  fire,  we  addressed 
ourselves  with  hearty  good  will  to  a  frugal  supper,  and 
gladly  composed  ourselves  to  sleep. 


,,.  t 


Wit 


A    SrSALTERN    IN    AMBKICA. 


231 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


\'>i 


ABRIVAL  OF  GENERAL    PACKENHAJC. 


n 


^ 


An  early  hour  in  the  morning  of  the  25th  produced 
a  change,  both  in  the  hopes  and  prospects  of  the  army 
m  gene.al,  and  in  the  situation  of  Charltoi.,  and  myself, 
in  particular.     Sir  Edward  Packenham  emd  General 
Gibbs  unexpectedly  made  their  appearance  in  the  camp, 
and  the  former  immediately  took  upon  himself  the  com- 
rnand  of  the  expedition.  His  first  measure  was  to  alter, 
in  a  great  degree,  the  distribution  of  the  forces  which 
General  Kean  had  made.    The  advance  was  dissolved  ; 
and  the  entire  army  was  divided  into  two  brigades  or 
columns.      This  arrangement  separated  us  from   the 
light  troops,  with  whom  we  had  so  long  acted ;  and  we 
found  ourselves  appointed  to  compose  part  of  the  right 
column,  whose  line  of  operations  lay  beside  the  wood. 
During  the  25th  and  26th,  nothing  of  importance 
occured,  which  has  not  been  detailed  with  sufficient  ac 
curacy  elsewhere.     Of  the  continual  approaches  and 


\  .1 


*«.Ci„T>^.. 


232 


A    StTBALTERN    IN   AMFRICA. 


hi 


incursions  of  the  enemy's  mounted  riflemen,  blowing 
up  of  the  schooner,  and  the  consequent  retreat  of  the 
ships  which  had  anchored  near  her,  you  cannot  be  ig- 
norant. I  need  not,  thercrore,  speak  of  them  at  length, 
especially  as  it  was  not  my  fortune  to  come  into  per- 
sonal contact  with  the  one,  or  to  be  a  very  close  ob- 
server of  the  other.  On  the  27th  an  event  did  take 
place,  in  which  I  was  deeply  interested.  At  an  early 
hour  on  the  morning  of  that  day,  the  troops  being 
ordered  under  arms,  dispositions  were  made  for  an  im- 
mediate advance.  On  this  occasion  our  company  form- 
ed part  of  a  detached  party,  which  being  placed  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Ronnie  of  the  21st  regiment, 
was  appointed  to  cover  the  movement  of  the  column  ; 
and  extended  the  skirmishing  order,  partly  across  the 
plain,  and  partly  into  the  wood.  ]\Iy  own  section  hap- 
pened to  be  thrown  among  the  trees,  but  taking  post 
myself,  chiefly  on  the  most  exposed  flank,  I  enjoyed  an 
ample  opportunity  of  observing  the  whole  course  of  the 
operations ;  and  of  the  spectacle,  as  it  presented  itself, 
I  must  endeavour  to  give  you  something  like  a  distinct 
account. 

It  was  not  the  custom  of  the  Americans,  you  must 
know,  to  protect  the  front  of  the  army,  either  by  day 
or  night,  by  a  regular  chain  of  outposts.  Every  morn- 
ing, indeed,  as  soon  as  it  was  light,  a  corps  of  some  five 
or  six  hundred  mounted  riflemen  came  down ;  which, 
spreading  themselves  over  the  plain,  watched  our  move- 
ments in  a  very  irregular  and  unsoldier-like  manner. 
The  head-quarters  of  this  corps  invariably  established 
itself  in  a  house  distant  about  long  musket-shot  from 


imui 


cmcn,  blowing 
;  retreat  of  the 
1  cannot  be  ig- 
thcm  at  length, 
come  into  per- 
ery  close  ob- 
event  did  take 
At  an  early 
!  troops  being 
ide  for  an  im- 
ompany  form- 
l  placed  under 
<Jlst  regiment, 
"  the  column  ; 
rtly  across  the 
n  section  hap- 
;.t  taking  post 
:,  I  enjoyed  an 
J  course  of  the 
resented  itself, 
like  a  distinct 

ns,  you  must 
either  by  day 
Every  morn- 
9  of  some  five 
lovvn ;  which, 
led  our  move- 
-like  manner, 
ly  established 
iket-shot  from 


A  BPBALTERN  IN  AMERICA.  gSJ 

our  sentries   and  close  to  the  main  road;  whilst  the 
^st  wandered  nere  and  there,  as  inclination  or  caprice 
^med  to  d,rect.     Regularly  as  night  closed  in,  aga  n 
h^e  mounted  men  withdrew,  and  then  began  that  ^ys- 
em  of  zrntanon  m  which  General  Jackson  appeared  to 
take  so  much  dehght ;  and  which  without  in  any  essen! 
nal  degree  mfluencing  the  issues  of  thecampaig'n,  serv- 
ed  to  harass  and  annoy  our  troops  severely.     Why  no 
tempt  w,3  „,ade  on  our  part,  during  either  of'th 
clays  above  ment.oned,  to  drive  back  these  stragglers 

not.  AH  that  I  do  know  is,  thatnothingof  the  kind  was 
thought  of;  and  that  even  on  the  27th,\hen  the  whl 
army  was  put  in  motion,  our  progress  was  for  a  while 
as  slow  and  as  circumspect,  as  if  a  thousand  ambus- 
cades  had  been  on  all  sides  of  us.     The  right  column, 
or  example,  which  skirted  the  wood,  after  ^novingr 
'^"'^/?°"\^^;^«  or  four  hundred  paces,  was  com- 
rnandedto  halt.     The   house,  it  appeared  which  t^e 

:rnot"7 '  r'f'  '^^  "^^  ^^^^  ---^^^  -^  ^^ 

s  not  deemed  prudent  to  pass  it  by  without  examin- 
ution.     Instead,  however,  of  leaving  this  to  be  effected 
by  the  light  troops,  a  couple  of  pieces  of  cannon  were 
ordered  to  the  front ;  and  the  empty  mansion  had  the 
konour  of  bemg  several  times  perforated  with  round- 
shot.     Ihis  being  done,  and  no  troops  seen  to  evacu- 
ate It,  the  columns  again  pressed  forward.     The  day 
was  clear  and  bright,  there  was  just  enough  of  frost  in 
the  air  to  be  agreeable,  and  we  were  all  in  the  highest 
spirits.     On  we  went,  therefore,  for  about  three  miles, 
without  any  halt  or  hindrance,  either  from  man  or  in. 
«1 


{ 


n 

ill 


I 


234 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


it    ' 


I'T 


animate  nature,  coming  in  our  way.  But  all  at  once  a 
spectacle  was  presented  to  us,  such,  indeed,  as  we 
ought  to  have  looked  for,  but  such  as  manifestly  took 
our  leaders  by  surprise.  The  enemy's  army  became 
visible.  It  was  posted  about  forty  yards  in  rear  of  a 
canal,  and  covered,  though  most  imperfectly,  by  anun- 
finished  breast-work.  The  outlines  of  several  batteries 
had  been  traced,  a  ditch  was  marked  out  and  partly  be- 
gun— in  a  word,  the  rudiments  of  an  entrenched  posi- 
tion were  before  us.  We  who  were  on  the  right,  felt 
neither  astonishment  nor  regret  at  the  prospect.  We 
saw  that  the  works  were  contemptible,  and  wc  made  no 
doubt  of  carrying  them  as  soon  as  we  should  fairly  at- 
tempt it — above  all,  we  met  with  no  interruption  to  our 
progress.  But  the  case  was  otherwise  on  the  left.  The 
head  of  that  column  had  no  sooner  arrived  within  range 
of  the  lines,  than  a  tremendous  cannonade,  not  only 
from  the  guns  in  position,  but  from  the  ship  and  a  flo- 
tilla of  armed  boats,  opened  upon  it.  We  could  per- 
ceive plainly  enough,  that  the  fire  was  not  harmless; 
for  the  column  instantly  deployed  into  lines  of  batta- 
lions, and  the  lines,  after  pushing  forward  feomo  little 
way,  halted,  and  lay  down.  On  our  side,  however,  an 
opposite  course  was  pursued.  Though  the  column 
paused,  for  what  purpose  is,  I  confess,  a  mystery  to 
me,  our  skirmishers  dashed  in  increased  force  into  the 
wood,  and  became  immediately  engaged  with  a  body  of 
riflemen,  who  were  posted  there  for  the  purpose  of  co- 
vering the  right  of  the  enemy's  centre.  For  an  instant 
the  firing  was  tolerably  sharp ;  but  we  drove  them  be- 
fore us  in  gallant  style,  and  had  penetrated  as  far  as 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


235 


ut  all  at  once  a 
indeed,  as  we 
(lanifestly  took 
army  became 
s  in  rear  of  a 
:tly,  by  an  un- 
jveral  batteries 
and  partly  bc- 
itrenched  posi- 
thc  right,  felt 
prospect.  We 
nd  wc  made  no 
lould  fairly  at- 
rruption  to  our 
1  the  left.  The 
d  within  range 
lade,  not  only 
;hip  and  a  flo- 
Ve  could  per- 
not  harmless; 
lines  of  batta- 
ird  feomc  little 
le,  however,  an 
h  the  column 
a  mystery  to 
I  force  into  the 
with  a  body  of 
purpose  of  co- 
For  an  instant 
drove  them  be- 
rated as  far  as 


their  outer  defences,  when  an  order  arrived  that  we 
should  proceed  no  farther.  Whilst  I  live,  I  shall  never 
cease  to  regret  that  such  an  order  was  issued.  Con- 
trary to  all  expectation,  we  found  the  bog  within  the 
cypress  wood  perfectly  passable ;  whilst  the  entrench- 
ments which  it  behoved  us  to  carry,  consisted  then  of 
nothing  more  than  a  few  abattis,  with  a  low  mound  of 
earth  thrown  up  in  the  rear.  One  spirited  dart,  such 
as  we  were  preparing  to  make,  must  have  carried  us 
through  them.  But  our  ardour  was  repressed ;  we 
were  even  directed  to  fall  back,  and  we  spent  full  four 
hours  standing  or  sitting  idly  under  cover  of  the  treee, 
and  listening  to  the  sound  of  the  enemy's  guns,  which 
played  incessantly  upon  our  comrades.  To  complete 
the  business,  we  were  informed,  about  three  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  that  the  main  body  was  retiring,  and  a 
little  before  dark  we  followed  the  example.  Thus,  with- 
out so  much  as  one  effort  to  force  through  them,  was  a 
British  army  baffled  and  repulsed  by  a  horde  of  raw  mi- 
litiamen, ranged  in  line  behind  a  mud-wall,  which  could 
have  hardly  protected  them  from  musketry,  far  less 
from  round-shot ; — there  was  not  a  man  among  us  who 
failed  to  experience  both  shame  and  indignation,  when 
he  found  himself  retreating  before  a  force  for  which  he 
entertained  the  most  sovereign  contempt. 

I  have  said,  or  I  ought  to  have  said,  that  the  retro- 
grade movement,  of  which  I  am  now  speaking,  was 
conducted  in  the  most  disorderly  manner.  To  save  the 
men  as  much  as  possible  from  the  cannonade,  which 
still  continued,  the  different  regiments  were  directed  to 
break  off  in  files  and  small  parties  from  the  right.. 


. , 


I 

If 

/I 

1 


If 


296 


A  SUBALTERN   IN  AMBHICA. 


iff 


This  was  done,  and  to  the  Americans  it  doubtless  con. 
veyed  the  .dca  that  we  were  not  retiring,  but  flying,  for 
they  rent  the  air  with  shouts,  and  plied  us  more'and 
more  bnskly  w.th  grape,  round-shot,  and  shells.     It 
was  impossible  that  so  many  missiles  could  be  thrown 
without  causing  some  loss ;  about  thirty  men  out  of  our 
column  fell,  and  at  least  as  many  out  of  the  other. 
One  unfortunate  fellow,  who  was   walking  before  me, 
received  a  nine-pound  shot  on  the  knapsack,  and  it  lite, 
ral  y  dashed  him  to  pieces;  but  we  were,  on  the  whole, 
fortunate  to  escape  so  well,  more  fortunate,  perhaps, 
than  our  want  of  resolution  <leserved. 

We  did  not  fall  back  to  our  original  encampment,  but 
having  accomphshed  as  much  space  as  was  deemed  suf. 
fic.ent  to  protect  us  against  the  enemy's  fire,  we  halted, 
rheground  now  occupied  resembled,  in  almost  every 
panicular,  that  left  behind.     It  was  an  unbroken  flat 
wuhout  trees,  hedges,  or  any  other  species  of  natural 
cover;  and  except  on  the  very  left  of  the  line,  totally 
void  of  buddings.     The  troops  had  brought  with  them 
no  tents,  and  of  materials  for  the  construction  of  huts 
there  was  a  lamentable  scarcity;  by  far  the  greatest 
number  were  accordingly  compelled  to  bivouac.     But 
continued  exposure  to  this  variable  climate  soon  began 
to  affect  us  very  sensibly,  and  the  bad  quality  as  well 
as  insufficient  supply  of  food,  was  sorely  felt.     For  all 
these  grievances,  however,  no  remedy  existed,  so  wedi. 
gested  them  as  we  best  could,  in  the  hope  that  better 
fortune  might  even  yet  be  in  store  for  us. 

During  the  28th,  29th,  30th,  and  31st,  strong  de. 
tachments  from  the  different  corps  were  employfdt 


I. 

loubtless  con- 
but  flying,  for 
us  more  and 
>d  shells.     It 
Id  be  thrown 
len  out  of  our 
of  the  other, 
g  before  me, 
;k,  and  it  lite- 
)n  the  whole, 
ate,  perhaps, 

impment,  but 
deemed  suf- 
e,  we  halted* 
I  most  every 
•broken  flat, 
5  of  natural 
line,  totally 
:  with  them 
ion  of  huts 
he  greatest 
ouac.     But 
soon  began 
ity  as  weJi 
t.     For  all 
Ij  so  we  di- 
that  better 

strong  de- 
iployed  in 


A   SUBALTERN  IN  AMERICA. 


W7 


bringing  up  a  train  of  heavy  ordnance  from  the  boats, 
with  ample  supplies  of  powder  and  ball.  It  was  not  my 
fate  to  be  employed  on  this  service,  so  I  can  speak  of  it 
only  from  hearsay ;  but  the  labour  and  difficulty  of  ac- 
complishing it,  were,  I  am  told,  beyond  all  calculation. 
Nor  was  it  the  only  irksome  duty  In  which  we  were 
engaged.  The  picquets  never  mounted  without  suffer- 
ing,  sooner  or  later,  an  attack.  Sometimes  the  enemy 
contented  themselves  with  cannonading  the  outposts, 
sometimes  they  advanced  large  corps  in  the  day,  who 
amused  themselves  and  us,  with  long  and  unprofitable 
skirmishes.  But  their  more  usual  system  was  to  steal 
forward  in  sections  after  dark,  and  to  harass  us  with  a 
desultory  and  troublesome  fire  of  musketry  till  morning. 
That  you  may  the  better  understand  how  these  affairs 
were  conducted,  I  will  detail  to  you,  at  length,  the  cir- 
cumstances which  attended  a  tour  of  duty,  in  which  I 
myself  was  engaged. 

It  chanced  that,  on  the  morning  of  the  .30th,  I  was 
put  in  command  of  a  picquct.  My  post  was  abundant- 
ly exposed ;  it  was  a  shallow  dry  ditch,  distant  about 
halfway  between  our  own  and  the  enemy's  lines.  Ha- 
ving paraded  my  men  an  hour  before  dawn,  I  marched 
forward,  and  being  conducted  by  the  officer  whom  I 
was  about  to  relievo  and  the  sentinels,  and  instructed 
as  far  as  he  was  able  to  instruct  me,  in  the  manner  in 
which  it  behoved  me  to  act,  I  set  him  at  liberty,  by  as- 
suming the  station  which  he  abandoned.  For  some 
time,  all  remained  quiet;  the  day  gradually  dawned, 
and,  as  its  light  exhibited  no  manifestations  of  hostile 

design  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  we  began  to  flatter 
21* 


m 


I 


r^ 


286 


A  SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


ourselves  that  wo  should  escape  with  fewer  dangers  and 
hardships  than  had  annoyed  our  predecessors.  But 
we  were  speedily  convinced  that  our  calculations  had 
been  formed  on  erroneous  grounds. 

As  yet,  neither  I  nor  the  men  had  ventured  to  light  a 
fire;  we  found  the  party  whom  we  came  to  relieve 
without  one,  and  we  so  far  followed  their  advice,  as  to 
act  tor  some  hours  by  the  pattern  which  they  had  set 
us.     But  the  day  was  piercingly  cold.    tJl  heavy  shower 
fell  from  time  to  time,  and  the  absolute  discomfort  of 
our  situation  proved  toe  much  for  the  whispers  of  pru- 
dence.    Two  fires  wore  made  to  blaze  up,  one  for  the 
men,   the  other  for  myself  and  my  companion.     It 
seemed  as  if  the  American  artillery-men  had  waited  for 
some  such  object  to  direct  their  aim,  for  the  smoke  had 
hardly  began  to  ascend,  when  there  played  upon  us, 
from  a  battery  of  five  guns,  as  perfect  a  storm  of  grape- 
shot  as  ever  whistled  past  the  ears  of  men  so  situated ;  and 
in  five  minutes  the  fires  were  abandoned.     But  with  this 
the  enemy  were  not  contented ;  under  cover  of  the  can- 
nonade,  a  body  of  some  two  or  three  hundred  infantry 
advanced,  in  extended  order,  from  the  lines.     They 
came  on  with  loud  shouts,  and  even  before  they  had  ar- 
rived within  anything  like  moderate  range,  commenced 
a  running  fire  of  musketry  upon  the  sentries.     The  or- 
ders  which  I  had  received  were  peremptory,  that  not 
an  ir-^h  of  ground  should  be  given  up,  as  long  as  I  was 
in  a  condition  to  maintain  it ;  so,  instead  of  desiring  the 
videttes  to  fall  back,  I  advanced  with  the  body  of  the 
piquet  to  support  them.     At  length,  a  most  uninterest- 
iDg  skirmish  ensued.    The  Americans,  it  was  perfectly 


A  SrBALTERN   IN  AMBRICAt 


989 


dangers  and 
cssors.  But 
:ulations  had 

red  to  light  a 
le  to  relieve 
advice,  as  to 
they  had  set 
leavy  shower 
discomfort  of 
3pers  of  pru- 
one  for  the 
ipanion.     It 
id  waited  for 
!  smoke  had 
ed  upon  us, 
rm  of  grape- 
lituated ;  and 
But  with  this 
'  of  the  can- 
red  infantry 
nes.     They 
they  had  ar- 
commenced 
s.     The  or. 
•y,  that  not 
ng  as  I  was 
desiring  the 
•ody  of  the 
uninterest- 
is  perfectly 


manlf<^3t,  were  raw  troops ;  they  made  no  determined 
efforts,  probably  it  was  not  intended  they  should  make 
any  efforts  to  drive  us  in ;  but  they  pressed  forward, 
from  time  to  time,  creeping  along  the  ground,  and  run- 
ning from  ditch  to  ditch,  and  retreating  again,  as  soon 
as  they  had  discharged  their  pieces.  On  our  side,  no 
movement  whatever  was  made.  The  meii  lay  down  as 
I  directed,  behind  a  row  of  bushes,  which  served,  at 
least,  to  conceal  them  from  their  opponents,  and  each 
file  regularly  shifted  its  ground  a  pace  or  two  to  the 
right  or  the  left  as  soon  as  it  had  fired.  By  this  means 
many  lives  were  saved,  for  the  Americans  regularly 
returned  our  fire,  and  they  never  failed  to  direct  their 
aim  towards  the  spots  from  whence  our  smoke  ascended. 

The  affair  having  lasted  about  four  or  five  hours,  the 
enemy  at  length  saw  fit  to  withdraw,  and  we  returned 
to  our  ditch,  with  the  trifling  loss  of  only  two  men  woun- 
ded.  Nor  did  they  renew  their  amusement  during  the 
remainder  of  the  day.  Their  cannon,  however,  con- 
tinued to  annoy  us  to  the  last,  insomuch  that  the  very 
sentinels  were  under  the  necessity  of  hiding  themselves. 
Not  another  musket  was  fired,  and  we  were  content  to 
put  up  with  the  one  as  being,  at  all  events,  less  disa- 
greeable than  the  other.  But  as  darkness  set  in,  causes 
of  disturbance  multiplied  upon  us,  of  which  not  the  least 
alarming  arose  from  the  culpable  negligence  of  some  of 
our  own  people. 

It  was  customary  at  this  time  to  cover  the  army  du- 
ring the  day,  with  a  line  of  posts,  which  were  consider- 
ed too  weak  to  guard  it  effectually  at  night.  The  con- 
sequence  was,  that  just  before  dusk  every  evening,  a 


J      # 

I  H 

II 


1,1 


"'fa'-»lil    II 


240 


A  SUBALTERN  IN  AMERICA. 


i  f* 


reinforcement  was  sent  up,  which,  instead  of  being 
scattered  among  Ihe  different  picquets  already  establish- 
ed, formed  a  distinct  picquet  of  itself.     The  post  at- 
tached to  it  lay  between  my  party  and  a  party  of  the 
light  brigade,  in  other  words,  it  was  accustomed  to  oc- 
cupy the  centre  of  a  line,  of  which  we  formed  the  flanks. 
To-night,  by  some  accident  or  other,  the  additional  pic- 
quet was  late  of  arriving.    Our  orders— I  mean  the  or- 
ders of  the  out  -posts  on  the  right  and  left— were  to  con- 
tract  their  sentries  at  sun-set,  that  room  might  be  left 
for  the  sentries  from  the  assisting  guard  to  plant  them- 
selves.     We  obeyed  them  this  evening,  as  usual.     But 
the  state  of  our  feelings  may  be  more  easily  imagined 
than  described,  when  hour  after  hour  stole  on,  and  no 
force  appeared  to  fill  up  the  gap  which  we  had  made— 
How  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  other  post  behaved,  I 
know  not;  but  for  me,  having  waited  as  long  as  a  sense 
of  duty  would  allow,  I  set  out,  attendr     jy  my  sergeant, 
to  ascertain  the  cause  of  this  unaccoi,atabIe  delay.    As 
I  trudged  along,  a  thousand  uneasy  thoughts  rose  into 
my  mind.     Sometimes  I  was  apprehensive  that  the  di- 
vision  might  have  been  cut  ofl';  at  other  times  the  lia- 
zard  which  not  wc  only,  but  the  entire  army  ran,  of  a 
surprisal,  occurred  to  mc,  and  I  could  not,  with  such 
suspicions  in  my  mind,  quit  the  post  of  danger.    On  the 
contrary,  I  patrolled  backwards  and  forwards,  from  the 
extreme  left  of  our  own  line,  to  the  extreme  right  of  the 
other,  listening  from  time  to  time,  in  the  greatest  anx- 
iety, and  finally  I  made  up  my  mind  to  throw  out  some 
extra  sentries.     But  as  I  was  preparing  to  carry  the  re- 
solution into  practice,  my  attention  was  suddenly  call- 


I     '! 


id  of  being 
3y  establisb- 
'he  post  at- 
>arty  of  the 
omed  to  oc- 
i  the  flanks, 
ditional  pic- 
lean  the  or- 
ivere  to  con- 
ght  be  left 
plant  them- 
isual.     But 

Y  imagined 
on,  and  no 
ad  made. — 

behaved, I 
;  as  a  sense 
y  sergeant, 
delay.  As 
5  rose  into 
that  the  di- 
es  the  ha- 
r  ran,  of  a 

with  such 
r.  On  the 
3,  from  the 
ightofthe 
latest  anx- 

V  out  some 
rrythere- 
Jenly  call- 


A   SUBALTERN  IN  AMEEICA. 


941 


ed  off  to  other  objects.  A  heavy  trampling  of  feet  be- 
came audible.  There  was  a  sound,  too,  directly  in 
front,  as  of  horses  galloping,  and  first  one  vidette, 
then  another,  challenged.  I  ran  to  the  spof ,  and  reach- 
ed it  just  as  the  men  fired.  The  report  was  followed 
by  a  burst,  as  if  a  squadron  of  cavalry  had  broken,  and 
was  retreating.  But  whilst  I  was  watching  here,  th« 
same  sound  of  troops  marching,  caught  my  ear,  and  on 
hurrying  back  to  the  void  space,  it  became  every  mo- 
ment more  and  more  distinct,  I  called  aloud,  but  no  one 
answered.  This  was  alarming  enough,  and  what  made 
it  more  so,  was,  that  the  corps,  whatever  it  might  be, 
seemed  to  approach  in  echellon,  from  the  front.  One 
man  only  was  with  me,  but  determined  neither  to  suffer 
a  surprise,  nor  needlessly  to  disturb  the  camp,  I  pushed 
forward,  pistol  in  hand,  towards  the  road.  We  challen- 
ged again  and  again — no  one  heeded  us.  My  finger 
already  pressed  to  the  trigger,  as  a  body  of  men  Ije- 
came  perceptible,  and  I  refrained  from  firing  only  till  I 
should  have  challenged  the  third  time.  It  is  well  that 
I  had  been  thus  prudent,  for  the  corps  proved  to  be  no 
Other  than  the  long-looked  for  detachment,  which  had, 
by  some  means  or  another,  contrived  to  lose  its  way, 
and  was  now  wandering  back  from  the  very  brink  of 
the  enemy's  canal,  to  which  it  had  proceeded.  Relieved 
as  I  could  not  but  feel,  at  this  discovery,  my  indignation 
was  nevertheless  too  great  not  to  burst  forth  in  words.  I 
rated  the  unfortunate  officer  in  command  roundly,  and 
leaving  my  sergeant  to  assist  him  in  placing  his  senti- 
nels, returned  to  my  own  picquet. 
It  was  now  about  midnight,  and  the  darkness  had 


1| 

r 


U 


342 


A    SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


it     .'/ 


become  almost,  without  a  metaphor,  such  as  might  be 
felt.     Instead  of  a  frost,  a  thick  mist  hung  in  the  air, 
which  not  only  annoyed  by  the  cold  moisture  which  it 
threw  around  us,  but  effectually  hindered  the  stars  from 
casting  even  their  feeble  glimmer  over  the  scene.  Worn 
out  with  fatigue,  I  had  returned  to  the  ditch,— not  to 
seat  myself  beside  a  comfortable  blaze,— for  no  fire 
was  lighted,  and  it  would  have  been  madness  to  think 
of  lighting  one,— but  to  rest  my  limbs  a  little  by  lying 
down,  and  to  smoke  a  cigar.     I  was  thus  employed, 
when  a  heavy  rolling  noise,  like  the  movement  of  ar. 
tulery,  caught  my  ear.     It  proceeded  from  the  enemy's 
lines,  and  its  direction  was  plainly  enough  towards  our 
camp,  though  greatly  to  the  left  of  my  most  remote 
sentmcls.     I  sprang  to  my  feet,  and  once  more  hurried 
to  the  front.     I  had  traversed  about  half  the  space  which 
divided  the  picquet  from  the  videttes,  when  the  rolling 
sound  ceased ;  and  the  reader  will  not  doubt,  that  I  turn- 
ed  my  eyes  anxiously  to  the  spot  where  it  did  so.     I 
paused,  too,  for  a  moment;  and  before  I  could  resume 
my  progress,  three  distinct  flashes,  followed  by  a  simi- 
lar  number  of  reports,  sufficiently  informed  me  of  the 
cause  of  my  disturbance.     The  enemy,  finding   ij.at 
their  heavy  artillery  hardly  reached  our  camp,  had 
moved  two  field-pieccs  and  a  mortar  without  their  lines, 
and  advancing  them  as  near  to  the  sentries  as  a  regard 
to  their  own  safety  would  allow,  were  now  cannonad- 
ing,  not  the  out-posts,  but  the  main  body  of  the  British 
army.     It  was  easy  to  perceive  that  the  balls  fell  not 
short  of  their  mark.     Looking  back  towards  the  posi. 
tion,  I  saw  that  the  fires  were  hastily  covered  up ;  and 


I 


as  might  be 
ng  in  the  air, 
ture  which  it 
he  stars  from 
icene.  Worn 
tch, — not  to 
-for  no  fire 
less  to  think 
ttle  by  lying 
s  employed, 
;ment  of  ar- 
the  enemy's 
towards  our 
nost  remote 
lore  hurried 
space  which 

the  rolling 

that  I  turn. 

did  so.  I 
uld  resume 
i  by  a  simi. 

me  of  the 
nding  ihat 
camp,  had 

their  lines, 
as  a  regard 
cannonad- 
the  British 
lis  fell  not 
s  the  posi* 
I  up;  and 


A  SUBALTERN   IN  AMEEICA. 


S43 


the  murmur  of  voices  which  arose,  gave  testimony,  that 
they  were  not  thus  stifled  before  it  was  necessary. 

No  directions  had  been  given  to  us  how  we  should 
act,  in  case  of  such  an  emergency,- ^because,  in  truth, 
the  emergency  had  never  been  contemplated ;  yet  both 
my  companion  and  myself  felt  strongly  tempted  to  try, 
whether  or  not  we  might,  by  a  forward  dash,  make  our' 
selves  masters  of  their  guns.     We  had  even  resolved 
upon  hazarding  the  attempt,  and  were  in  the  act  of  ar. 
rangmg  our  men  for  the  purpose,  when  the  firing  tjud. 
denly  ceased,  and  the  sound  of  artillery  retreating  bc^ 
came  audible.     To  have  followed  them  in  their  retreat 
would  have  been  madness— even  when  we  thought  of 
attacking,  we  hoped  for  success  only  by  coming  unex. 
pectedly  upon  them,  for  we  were  by  no  means  strong 
enough,  nor  was  it  at  all  in  accordance  with  our  duty 
to  hazard  an  action  with  the  whole  American  army. 
We,  therefore,  permitted  them  to  depart  unmolested, 
and  contented  ourselves  with  patroling  forward,  about 
half  an  hour  after,  to  see  that  all  was  right 

From  that  time,  till  towards  morning"  we  were  left, 
in  a  great  measure,  undisturbed.     The  enemy,  it  ap.' 
peared,  satisfied  with  what  they  had  done,  gave  them, 
selves  up  to  repose,  whilst  we  continued  vigilant  as 
before,  though  without  meeting  with  any  serious  cause 
of  alarm.     About  two  hours  before  day-break,  how- 
ever,  a  general  stir  took  place  in  the  American  lines- 
It  was  their  mustering  time;  they  were  then  getting  under 
arms— not  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  us,  but  to  op- 
pose  any  attack  which  xve  might  hazard,  and  they  did 
so  to  the  sound  of  drums  and  trumpets,  and  other 


i  1i 


t 

1 A 


H 


I  I 


I 


li; 


) 


244 


A  SUBALTERN    IN  AMERICA. 


If 


martial  instruments.  The  effect  of  this  warlike  tumult 
as  it  broke  in  all  at  once  upon  the  silence  of  night,  was 
remarkably  fine.  Nor  did  the  matter  end  there.  The 
reveille  having  ceased,  and  the  different  regiments  hav- 
ing taken  their  ground,  two  or  three  tolerably  full  bands 
began  to  play,  which  continued  to  entertain  both  their 
own  people  and  us  till  broad  daylight  came  in.  Being 
fond  of  music, — particularly  of  the  music  of  r.  military 
band,  I  crept  forward  beyond  the  sentries,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  listening  to  it.  The  airs  which  they  played  were 
some  of  them,  spiritless  enough, — the  Yankees  are  not 
famous  for  their  good  taste  in  anything; — but  one  or 
two  of  the  waltzes  struck  me  as  being  peculiarly  beau- 
tiful ;  the  tunc,  however,  which  seemed  to  please  them- 
selves the  most,  was  their  national  air  known  among  us 
by  the  title  of  "  Yankee  doodle  ;"  for  they  repeated  it  at 
least  six  times  in  the  course  of  their  practice. 

Dawn  was  beginning  to  appear,  when  the  party  des- 
tined to  relieve  us  came  up.  Having  communicated  to 
the  officer  in  command  as  much  information  as  I  myself 
possessed,  I  very  gladly  called  in  my  sentinels,  mus- 
tered ray  people,  and  marched  to  the  rear. 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


245 


varlike  tumult 
of  night,  was 
I  there.  The 
cgiments  hav- 
ibly  full  bands 
lin  both  their 
fie  in.  Being 
5  of  r.  military 
3,  for  the  pur- 
sy played  were 
.nkccs  are  not 
— but  one  or 
3uliarly  beau- 
3  please  them- 
iwn  among  us 
repeated  it  at 
tice. 

the  party  des- 
(imunicated  to 
)n  as  I  myself 
:;ntinels,  mus- 


CHAPTER  XX, 


Having  hitherto  said  but  little  of  the  positions  of 
iho  liostile  armies,  or  of  the  effect  which  a  glance  from 
the  one  to  the  other  was  calculated  (o  produce,  I  shall 
not,  perhaps,  be  regarded  as  stepping  greatly  out  of  my 
way,  if  I  endeavour  here  to  make  up  for  my  former 
omissions. 

It  has  been  already  hinted,  that  the  field  of  operations 
consisted  of  a  narrow  plain,  hemmed  in  on  one  hand  by 
the  Mississippi,  and  on  the  other  by  the  woody  morass. 
The  open  space  between  these  extremities  could  not 
exceed  one  thousand  yards,  whilst  the  distance  of  the 
British  from  the  American  camp  may  be  calculat  d  at 
about  two  miles  and  a  half.     As  there  was  nothing  to 
interrupt  the  vision,  the  disposition  (if  our  force  coiUd 
us  easily  be  noted  from  the  enemy's  lines,  as  their  lines 
could  be  seen  from  our  bivouac;  but  the  point  from 
which  to  obtain  the  most  satisfactory  view  of  both,  was 
the  line  of  on-  advanced  posts.     He  who  stood  there 
saw,  in  his  front,  a  long  parapet,  composed  entirely  of 
earth,  which  was  riveted  with  thin  planks,  and  support- 


$ 


■'il 


f, 


246 


A   STBALTERN    IN   AMEBIC  A. 


>  . 


ed  by  stakes.  About  thirty  or  forty  yards  in  advance 
of  it,  ran  a  bayou,  or  canal,  measuring,  to  all  appear- 
ance, from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  in  width.  This,  however, 
ended  considerably  to  the  left  of  the  river ;  indeed,  it 
can  hardly  be  said  to  have  covered  more  than  two-thirds 
of  the  entrenchment,  whilst  upon  the  high  road,  and 
somewhat  out  of  the  line,  was  again  erected  a  flanking 
redoubt;  there  was  a  semicircular  battery  about  the 
middle,  and  a  third,  called,  in  the  language  of  the  pro- 
fession, an  inverted  Ridau,  protected  the  extremity 
which  joined  the  wood.  On  the  summit  of  the  central 
work,  a  lofty  llag-stafT  wag  erected,  from  which  a  large 
American  ensign  constantly  waved ;  whilst  in  rear  of 
the  breast-work,  a  crowd  of  white  tents  shewed  them- 
selves, not  a  few  of  which  bore  flags  at  the  top  of  their 
poles.  The  American  camp,  in  short,  exhibited  at  least, 
as  much  of  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war,  as  mo- 
dern camps  iire  accustomed  to  exhibit ;  and  the  spirits 
of  its  inmate;?  were  kept  continually  in  a  state  of  exci- 
tation by  the  bands  of  martial  music. 

How  different  was  the  spec  de  to  which  a  glance 
towards  the  rear  introduced  the  spectator,  presenting 
exactly  the  sar/ie  extent  of  front ;  the  British  army  lay 
there  without  tents,  without  works,  without  show,  with- 
out parade,  upon  the  ground.  Throughout  the  whole 
line  not  more  than  a  dozen  huts  were  erected,  and  these, 
which  consisted  only  of  pieces  of  plank,  torn  from  the 
houses  and  fences  near,  furnished  but  an  inefficient 
protection  against  the  inclemency  bf  V.v  weather.  Our 
men  might  accordingly  be  observed,  some  of  them, 
walking  backwards  and  forwards,  collected  in  groups 


-ft 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMKRICA. 


847 


Is  in  advance 
3  all  appear- 
liis,  however, 
r ;  indeed,  it 
an  two-thirds 
?h  road,  and 
sd  a  flanking 
y  about  the 
;e  of  the  pro- 
le  extremity 
f  the  central 
fhich  a  large 
st  in  rear  of 
lewed  them- 
!  top  of  their 
)ited  at  least, 
war,  as  mo- 
id the  spirits 
itate  of  exci- 

ich  a  glance 
r,  presenting 
sh  army  lay 
;  show,  with- 
Jt  the  whole 
d,  and  these, 
orn  from  the 
in  inefficient 
eather.  Our 
ne  of  them, 
d  in  groups 


round  their  fires,  others  stretched  at  length  in  the  sun- 
beams,  apparently  rejoicing  in  the  warmth  which  they 
conveyed.  No  band  played  among  them,  nor  did  a 
bugle  give  its  sound,  except  to  warn  the  hearers  of  dan- 
ger, and  put  them  on  the  alert;  on  the  contrary,  the 
routine  of  duty  was  conducted  in  as  much  silence  as  if 
there  had  been  no  musical  instruments  in  the  camp.  It 
was  impossible  not  to  be  struck  with  the  contrast  which 
the  conditions,  and  apparent  comforts,  of  the  invading 
and  defending  hosts  presented. 

But  if  there  was  so  much  to  interest  and  excite  dur- 
ing the  day,  at  night  the  scene  assumed  a  thousand  de- 
grees of  more  excitement  and  attraction.     Then  an 
hundred  fires,  from  the  one  encampment  as  well  as  from 
the  other,  threw  up  a  broad  red  light  into  the  air,  round 
which  groups  could  be  seen,  moving  or  sitting,  in  atti- 
tudes  the  most  varied  and  picturesque.    With  the  Amer- 
icans,  indeed,  the  light  falling  strongly  upon  a  thousand 
tall  marquees,  produced  an  effect  as  beautiful  as  can 
well  be  imagined  ;  while  even  the  rude  huts  and  blan- 
ket  tents  of  the  British  troops,  exhibited  when  begirt 
with  flames,  an  appearance  far  more  imposing  than 
they  ever  assumed  when  the  sun's  rays  smote°them. 
Then  again,  the  few  solitary  fires  which  marked  the 
stations  of  some  of  the  outposts,  were  not  without  their 
effect  in  heightening  the  sublimity  of  the  panorama; 
while  a  cannon  or  mortar  discharged,  from  time  to  time, 
by  the  enemy,  gave  to  the  whole  an  appearance  of  war- 
like grandeur,  than  which  nothing  almost  can  be  con- 
ceived  more  imposing.     In  short,  in  spite  of  all  the 
drawbacks  which  attended  the  guidance  of  a  picquet,  I 


!£*j^a?sw!ir- 


A    SUBALTEUN    IN    ABIERICA. 

am  not  sure  that  I  spent  any  portion  of  my  time  in  a 
state  of  higher  enjoyment,  than  when,  during  the  tiilence 
of  the  night,  I  was  perambulating  from  sentry  to  sentry, 
and  feasting  my  eyes  on  the  different  objects  which  I 
have  here  so  inadequately  succeedf^d  in  describing. 

I  have  said,  that  during  the  last  three  or  four  days, 
the  troops  were  busily  employed  in  bringing  up  heavy 
cannon,  with  large  stores  of  ammunition,  from  the  fleet. 
The  object  of  this,  as  we  afterwards  learned,  was  to 
enable  the  artillery  and  engineer  officers,  to  try  the  effect 
of  a  scheme  which  they  had  suggested.  They  proposed 
to  the  General,  regularly  to  breach  the  enemy's  lines, 
and  they  undertook,  provided  proper  dispositions  were 
made,  to  silence  their  batteries  in  the  course  of  three 
hours.  At  an  early  hour  on  the  31st,  about  twenty 
long  eightcens,  and  ten  twenty-four  pounders  being 
ready,  besides  powder  and  ball  enough  for  six 
hours  continued  cannonading,  it  was  determined  to 
throw  up,  in  the  course  of  the  night,  four  redoubts, 
from  behind  which  our  gunners  might  take  aim  with 
increased  security  and  effect.  With  this  view,  detach- 
ments from  each  brigade  got  under  arms  soon  after 
dark,  and  moved  to  the  front.  Having  advanced,  in 
profound  silence,  about  a  couple  of  hundred  yards  be- 
yond the  videttes,  the  working  parties  were  command- 
ed to  halt — and  protected  by  the  two  battalions  of  the 
light  infantry,  the  85th  and  95th  rifle-corps,  they  pitch- 
ed their  arms  and  began  operations.  All  was  conducted 
with  the  most  perfect  order.  Not  a  man  spoke,  but 
digging  sedulously  at  the  spot  pointed  out  to  him,  each 
strove  to  execute  his  task,,  more  steadily  and  more  qui. 


ny  time  in  a 
ig  the  ailence 
ry  to  sentry, 
ects  which  I 
scribing. 
)r  four  days, 
ng  up  heavy 
rom  the  fleet, 
rned,  was  to 
try  the  effect 
ley  proposed 
icmy's  lines, 
isitions  were 
irse  of  three 
ibout  twenty 
inders  being 
gh  for  six 
itermined  to 
nr  redoubts, 
ic  aim  with 
iew,  detach- 
3  soon  after 
idvanced,  in 
d  yards  be- 
3  command- 
ilions  of  the 
3,  they  pitch- 
as  conducted 
1  spoke,  but 
to  him,  each 
id  more  qui. 


A  SUBALTERN   IN  AMERICA. 


249 


titiy  than  another.  Nor  were  tlje  officers  backward  ia 
affording  them  assistance.  There  were  no  idle  hands 
here ;  every  one  wielded  a  spade  or  pick-axe,  and, 
knowing,  as  we  all  knew,  that  we  worked  for  life  and 
death,  wielded  at  once  cautiously  and  zealously.  The 
consequence  was,  that  long  before  the  first  streaks  of 
dawn  appeared,  three  solid  demitoons  were  completed, 
and  thirty  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  placed  in  readiness 
to  open  the  fire,  as  soon  as  there  should  be  light  enough 
to  direct  it. 

Never  was  any  failure  more  remarkable  or  unlocked 
lor  than  this.    The  infant  ry,  having  accomplished  their 
tasks,  fell  back  ;  and  took  ground  some  hundred  yards 
or  two  in  rear  of  the  batteries.     There  we  lay,  anx^ 
iously  expecting  the  sun  to  rise,  and  confidently  anti^ 
cipated,   that  long  before  his  setting,  we  should  be 
snugly  housed  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans.     But  the 
sun,  as  if  ashamed  to  shine  upon  our  disgrace,   was 
slow  of  making  his  appearance ;  a  heavy  mist  obscured 
him;  and  the   morning   was  far  advanced   before   it 
cleared  away.     At  last,  however,  the  enemy's  line^ 
were  visible,  and  then  began  a  fire  from  our  batteries, 
so  brisk,  and  so  steadily  kept  up,  that  we,  who  were 
behind,  made  not  the  smallest  doubt  of  its  effect.     It 
was  answered  for  a  while  faintly,  and  with  seeming 
difficulty.     By  and  by,  however,  the  enemy's  salutat 
tion  became  more  spirited,  till  it  gradually  surpassed 
our  own,  both  in  rapidity  and  precision.     We  were  a 
good  deal  alarmed  at  this,  and  the  more  that  a  rumour 
soon  got  abroad,  that  our  batteries  were  not  proof 
against  the  amazing  force  of  the  American  shot.    We 
23* 


il 


I 


I 


■  iUpjuiw  — •>■■  .■^.- 


250 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


'V 


Imd,  it  may  be  stated,  imprudently  rolled  into  the  para- 
I)et8  barrels  filled  with  sugar,  under  the  impression  that 
sugar  would  prove  as  effectual  as  sand  in  checking  the 
progress  of  cannon  balls.  But  the  event  showed  that 
we  had  been  completely  mistaken.  The  enemy's  sl.ot 
penetrated  these  sugar-hogsheads  as  if  they  had  been  so 
many  empty  casks,  dismounting  our  guns,  and  killing 
our  artillery-men  in  the  very  centre  of  their  works. 
There  could  be  small  doubt,  as  soon  as  these  facts 
were  established,  how  the  cannonading  would  end. 
Our  fire  slackened  every  moment,  that  of  the  Ameri- 
cans became  every  moment  more  terrible,  till  at  length, 
after  not  more  than  two  hours  and  a  half  of  firing,  our 
batteries  were  all  silenced.  The  American  works,  on 
.  thfs  other  hand,  remained  as  little  injured  as  ever,  and 
wo  were  completely  foiled. 

Whilst  our  cannon  continued  to  play,  the  enemy 

contented  themselves  by  returning  their  salute ;  but  in 

proportion  as  the  fire  ceased,  they  began  to  direct  their 

artillery,  not  at  the  batteries  only,  but  at  the  infantry 

in  rear.     Our  men  were  accordingly  commanded  to  lie 

down  ;  but  even  thus,  all  the  shot  passed  not  harmless, 

and  about  twelve  persons  of  every  rank  were  killed  or 

wounded.     As  soon  as  this  became  known,  and  it  could 

no  longer  be  concealed,  that  the  promises  of  the  engineer 

department  were  not  likely  to  be  fulfilled,  the  army  were 

again  commanded  to  fall  back ;  and  it  again  took  up  its 

ground,  foiled,  irritated,  and  disheartened,  in  its  former 

bivouac. 

I  need  hardly  observe,  that  men  who  had  of  late  un- 
dergone so  much,  and  saw  before  them  so  little  prospect 


!M 


ito  the  para- 
)ression  that 
checking  the 
showed  that 
;ncmy's  s!:ot 
{ had  been  so 
,  and  killing 
their  works, 
these  facts 
would  end. 
'  the  Ameri- 
till  at  length, 
jf  firing,  our 
in  works,  on 
as  ever,  and 

^,  the  enemy 
lalute ;  but  in 
to  direct  their 
t  the  infantry 
manded  to  lie 
not  harmless, 
tvere  killed  or 
1,  and  it  could 
)f  the  engineer 
he  army  were 
lin  took  up  its 
,  in  its  former 

lad  of  late  un^ 
I  little  prospect 


A   SUBALTERN   IN  AMERICA. 


261 


of  success,  began  to  feel  both  their  zeal  and  spirit  gra- 
dually subside.  The  truth,  indeed,  is,  that  we  were  all 
thoroughly  worn  out.  Every  man  had  been  busy,  in 
some  way  or  another,  during  the  past  week  ;  not  a  few 
had  been  without  sleep  or  a  regular  meal  for  sixty  hours ; 
it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  if  these  spoke  and  thought 
less  of  future  glory,  than  of  immediate  suffering.  Yet 
were  our  fatigues  by  no  means  at  an  end.  The  enemy 
having  made  no  attempt  to  carry  off  our  heavy  guns, 
which  wo  abandoned  to  their  fiite,  it  was  judged  advi- 
sable to  bring  them  into  the  camp  as  soon  as  circum- 
stances would  allow;  and  for  this  purpose,  working 
parties  were  again  sent  out,  as  soon  as  the  darkness 
screened  them.  It  was  my  fortune  to  accompany  them. 
The  labour  of  dragging  a  number  of  huge  ships'  guns 
out  of  the  soft  soil  into  which  they  had  sunk,  crippled, 
too,  as  most  of  them  were  in  their  carriages,  was  more 
extreme  by  far  tl*n  any  one  expected  to  find  it ;  indeed, 
it  was  not  till  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  that  our  task 
came  to  a  conclusion,  and  even  then  it  had  been  very 
imperfectly  performed.  Five  guns  were  eventually 
left  behind.  These  were  rendered  useless,  it  is  true, 
by  breaking  their  trunnions ;  but  it  cannot  be  said  that 
in  the  course  of  the  late  operations,  the  British  army 
came  off  without  the  loss  of  some  of  its  artillery. 

I  do  not  recollect  to  have  experienced  at  any  period 
of  my  life,  a  degree  of  fatigue  at  all  to  be  compared 
with  that  which  now  oppressed  me.  During  three 
whole  nights  and  days  I  had  never  closed  an  eye  ,•  my 
food,  during  that  entire  space,  consisted  of  a  small 
quantity  of  salt  beef,  a  sea-buiscuit  or  two,  and  a  little 


S 


Wi 


I 


¥ 


8A3 


A   SUBALTERN    IN    AMERICA. 


*' 


i  . 


rum ;  and  even  that  I  could  hardly  find  time  or  leisure 
to  consume.  I  was  now  so  completely  overcome,  that 
had  I  been  required  to  perform  any  duty  at  the  moment, 
I  question  whether  my  bodily  strength  would  have 
carried  me  through  it.  It  was  not  without  some  diffi- 
culty  tha*  I  contrived  to  drag  my  limbs  back  to  the 
camp:  and  having  done  so,  all  the  thoughts  of  further 
exertion  was  laid  aside,— I  threw  myself  down  upon  the 
ground,  and  in  an  instant  I  was  asleep,  and  the  evening 
was  beginning  to  close  iti,  before  that  deep  slumber  left 
me.  But  it  proved  indeed,  a  refreshment  for  which  I 
knew  not  how  to  be  sufficiently  thankful.  I  rose  per- 
fectly restored  to  my  natural  vigor  of  body  and  mind, 
and  perfectly  willing  to  act  or  suffer  whatever  ou.-  lea- 
ders  might  think  fit  to  jequire. 

It  has  been  said,  that  the  bad  qu&lity,  and  insufficient 
quantity  of  provisions  issued  out  to  the  trocp^,  in  the 
course  of  these  operations,  was  soreljfcfelt.  The  tiinh 
is,  that  the  few  supplies  which  the  country  at  first  fur- 
nished became  exhausted  in  a  day ;  and  we  were,  of 
necessity,  reduced  almost  from,  the  first,  to  depend  en- 
tirely  upon  the  fleet  for  our  subsistence.  That  the 
sailors  exerted  themselves  strenuously  to  hinder  us 
from  experiencing  any  serious  inconvenience  on,  that 
account,  no  one  can  deny,~they  were  at  the  oar  con- 
tinually  ;  but  sometimes  the  weather  proved  such  as  to 
retard  their  progress,  and  sometimes  they  neglected  to 
set  out  till  the  Commissaries'  store  had  become  wellnigh 
emptied.  On  all  such  occasions,  we  were  compelled  to 
put  up  with  half-allowance.  Yet  we  managed  to  enjoy 
luxuries,  too,  such  as  they  were.    The  country  aboua- 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


253 


3  or  leisure 
■come,  that 
le  moment, 
vould  have 
some  diffi- 
ick  to  the 
of  further 
n  upon  the 
he  evening 
I  umber  left 
)r  which  I 
I  rose  per- 
and  mind, 
er  oui'  lea- 
insufficient 
cp^,  in  the 

The  tiinh 
it  first  fur- 
e  were,  of 
lepend  cn- 

That  the 
hinder  us 
e  on,  that 
e  oar  con- 
such  as  to 
sglected  to 
3  wellnigh 
mpelledto 
d  to  enjoy 
ry  aboua- 


dcd  in  sugar—and  here  and  there  an  orchard  of  Sevillo 
oranges  adorned  it.  •"  It  was  customary  amongst  us  to 
substitute  burned  biscuits  for  cotlec,  which  there  was  no 
difficulty  in  rendering  sweet ;  and  we  made  out  of  the 
oranges  and  sugar  no  indiffijrent  marmalade.  Nor  was 
this  the  only  use  to  which  we  turned  the  former  of  these 
articles.  When  pork  and  bread  ran  short,  it  was  no 
uncommon  thing  for  both  officers  and  men  to  appease 
the  cravings  of  hunger  by  eating  the  sugar ;  not,  indeed, 
as  it  was  found  in  the  casks,  but  after  they  had  mould- 
ed it  into  cakes.  I  cannot  say  that  any  of  us  would 
have  selected  such  food,  had  a  choice  been  submitted  to 
him ;  but  we  were  very  thankful  for  it,  and  in  no  in- 
stance did  it  prove  otherwise  than  wholesome  and  nu- 
tritious. 

In  the  meanwhile,  neither  the  American  general  nor 
our  own  remained  inactive,  though,  on  our  part,  the  con- 
fidence of  success  which  once  prevailed,  had  manifestly 
abated.  Not  only  were  fresh  troops  seen  to  pour  daily 
into  the  enemy's  camp,  but  a  line  of  works  was  begun 
by  them  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  from  which 
they  contrived  to  enfilade  our  bivouac,  with  no  fewer 
than  eighteen  pieces  of  cannon.  On  their  main  posi- 
tion,  likewise,  they  laboured  night  and  day.  The  par- 
apet, which,  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  any  tolerably 
active  man  would  have  overleaped  with  ease,  was  now 
heightened  to  an  ordinary  altitude ;  whilst  a  ditch, 
measuring  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  in  width  and  from 
four  to  eight  feet  in  depth,  covered  and  protected  it, 
from  one  flank  to  the  other.  It  was  understood  too, 
that  two  additional  lifles,  in  rear  of  that  before  us, 


4         1    ii 


I 


S54 


A   SUBALTERN   iNT   AMERICA. 


If 


* 


f.;  I., 


were   in  progress  of  completion,   whilst  rafts,   boata 
and  vessels   of    all   sizes   and  dimensions,  crowded 
the  Mississippi,  and  commanded  the  whole  flat.     With 
respect  to  the  British  army  again,  its  time  was  now 
powerfully  occupied,  in  dig<ring  a  canal  from  the  end 
of  the  bayo,  by  which  we  had  efFected  our  landing,  up 
to  the  river.     The  object  to  be  attained  by  this  work 
could  not  be  concealed  ;  it  was  intended  to  bring  up 
boats  from  the  Lake  and  to  transport  a  division  over 
the  river,  so  as  to  capture,  and  turn  against  themselves, 
the   whole  of  the  American   artillery  there  planted. 
Now,  though  it  ill  becomes  me,  especially  after  the 
pledge  which  I  have  given  to  the  contrary,  to  hazard 
any  opinion  on  the  measures  pursued  in  this  campaign, 
I  must  be  permitted  to  observe,  that  never  were  men  so 
severely,  and  so  uselessly  harassed  as  in  this  under- 
taking.     Of  the  scheme  which  proposed  to  carry  the 
batteries  on  the  opposite  side,  it  is  impossible  to  speak 
in  terms  too  laudatory ;  it  was  the  only  plan  which  in 
our  circumstances  oflured  any  chance  of  success,  and 
it  ought  to  have  been  adopted  at  once.     But  why  break 
the  spirits,  and  wear  out  the  strength  of  the  troops,  by 
setting  mon  to  excavate  a  trench,  full  two  miles  in 
length,  and  six  feet  deep  ?     We  had  dragged  heavy 
twenty-four  pounders  over  land,  from  the  mouth  of  the 
creek  ;  where  would  have  been  the  difficulty  of  trans- 
porting  ai      number  of  light  boats,  in  a  similar  man- 
ner  ?     In  my  humble  opinion,  time  and  toil  were  ne- 
ver  so  thoroughly  wasted  as  they  were  then.     Had  a 
few  rollers  been  framed,  barges,  gigs,  cutters,  and  even 
launches,  might  have  run  through  the  bog  with  perfect 


iw 


A    SUBALTERN   IJT   AMERICA. 


253 


ease;  and  all  the  risks  and  uncertainty  of  artificial  na- 

vigation  avoided. 

But  our  Chief  thought  otherwise,  or  rather  the  pos- 
sibihty  of  moving  boats,  except  through  water  never 
occurred  to  liini.      The  consequence  was,  that  the 
whole  army,  being  divided  into  four  relays,  worked  in. 
oessantly  by  day  and  by  night,  from  the  morning  of 
the  2d  up  to  the  evening  of  the  6th  of  Jtmuary.  It  was 
a  gigantic  undertaking ;  but  we  accomr       ed  it,  for,  at 
the  period  last  mentioned,  an  artificial  ba    ,  svas  formed, 
to  all  appearance  at  least,  not  less  navi'gable  than  the 
natural  one.     All,  therefore,  was  now  expectation ;  nor 
did  many  hours  elapse  before  expectation  was  converted 
into  certainty. 

The  relay  to  which  Charlton  and  I  belonged,  had 
ended  their  tasks  at  day-bieak  on  the  morning  of  the 
7th  ;  we  had  retired  to  our  hut,  for  a  hut  we  happened 
to  possess,  and  having  stopt  for  an  hour  or  two,  we 
were  seated  at  our  breakfast,  more  blessed,  if  the  truth 
must  be  told,  in  the  excellence  of  our  appetites,  than  m 
the  means  of  gratifying  them.     The  colour-sergeant 
entering  at  the  moment,  laid  down  the  regimental  order- 
ly book  before  us.     Charlton  eagerly  grasped  it,  and 
having  read  it  in  silence,  handed  it  to  me.     I  also  read, 
and,  as  far  as  my  memor^  may  be  trusted,  to  the  fol- 
lowing effect ; — 

"  The  troops  will  be  under  arms  two  hours  before 
daylight  to-morrow  morning,  when  the  army  will  form 
into  two  columns  in  the  following  order :— The  right 
column,  consisting  of  the  4th,  2ist,  and  44th  regiments, 
shall  take  post  near  the  wood,  the  44th  leading  and 


n 


#    I 


'.^ 


if 


iOi'lf*!' 


tmmtt .  <i»i  >*.i" . 


256 


A  SUBALTERN  IN   AMERICA. 


k./l 


i'.) 

4: 


bearing  the  gabions  and  fascines  ;  the  left  colum  com* 
posed  of  one  company  from  the  43d  regiment;  one  com- 
pany from  the  7th,  the  93d,  and  7th  West  India  regi- 

95th  re- 


giment,  in  extended  order,  shall  keep  up  the  communi- 
cation between  the  head  of  one  colum  and  the  head  of 
the  other,  whilst  the  7th  and  43d  shall  remain  in  re- 
serve." The  orders  then  went  on  to  state,  that  a  gene- 
ral assault  would  be  made  upon  the  enemy's  lines ;  that 
the  commander  of  the  forces  placed  the  fullest  reliance 
in  the  gallantry  of  his  troops,  and  the  skill  of  his  offi- 
cers ;  that  arrangements  were  made  so  as  to  assure  suc- 
cess, and  that  he.  confidently  trusted  that  to-morrow 
would  add  an  additional  laurel  to  the  many  which  al- 
ready adorned  the  brows  of  his  brave  followers.  The 
order  was  well  expressed.  We  read  it  with  intense  in- 
terest, and  wc  determined,  thijt,  as  far  as  we  were  con- 
cerned at  least,  no  exertions  should  be  spared  to  hin- 
der the  general's  hopes  from,  suffering  a  blight. 

When  men  are  made  aware,  that  at  the  expiration  of 
a  few  hours,  they  will  be  brought  into  a  situation  which 
will  require  all  their  energies  of  mind  and  body  to  bear 
them  honourably  through,  they  almost  unavoidably  con- 
gregate together,  and  indulge  in  numerous  surmises  as 
to  the  results  which  are  likely  to  ensue,  and  the  means 
which  to  each  appears  best  calculated  to  render  these 
results  favourable.  On  the  present  occasion,  for  ex- 
ample, not  many  minutes  elapsed  ere  our  hut  became  a 
place  of  assembly  to  the  greater  proportion  of  officers 
attached  to  the  corps.  It  was  then  explained,  that  the 
measures  to  which  General  Packenham  so  confidently 


:h: 


V 


;  colum  com* 
jnt;  one  com- 
3t  India  regi- 

he  communi* 

I  the  head  of 
•emain  in  re- 
,  that  a  gene- 
's lines ;  that 
llest  reliance 

II  of  his  ofli- 
o  assure  suc- 
it  to-morrow 
ny  which  al- 
)wers.  The 
:h  intense  in- 
ve  were  con- 
)ared  to  hin- 
light. 

expiration  of 
nation  which 
body  to  bear 

'oidably  con- 
3  surmises  as 
id  the  means 
render  these 
iion,  for  ex- 
lut  became  a 
in  of  officers 
ned,  that  the 
0  confidently 


X   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA.  'J57 

alluded,  consisted  in  the  pushing  across  of  the  85th  re 
giment,a  body  of  marines  and  seamen,  to  the  other  bank 
of  the  river,  by  whom  the  guns  mounted  there  would 
be  turiieu,  so  as  to  take  the  American  position  in  re- 
verse.    Next  came  a  variety  of  speculations  as  to  the 
propriety  of  intrusting  a  regiment  so  miserably  com- 
manded  as  the  44th,  with  the  vitally  important  office  of 
carrying  the  ladders  and  fascines ;  whilst  the  chances  of 
success  or  failure,  the  probability  of  individual  escapes, 
and  in  the  event  of  his  escaping,  the  mode  in  which 
each  proposed  to  spend  his  evening  after  he  had  estab- 
hshed  himself  in  New  Orleans,— these  furnished  to- 
pics of  conversation  for  several  hours.     At  last,  how- 
ever, the  petty  council  broKo  up,  and  each  betook  him- 
self  to  the  occupation  which  best  suited  him,  in  the  full 
assurance  that  nothing  short  of  extreme  misconduct, 
or  the  most  extraordinary  mismanagement,  could  pos' 
sibly  hinder  our  obtaining  a  signal  victory  on  the  mor- 
row. 

For  my  own  part,  I  am  not  ashamed  to  confess,  that 
I  felt  this  evening  more  singularly  oppressed,  not  with 
alarm,  but  with  awe,  than  I  recollect  ever  to  have 
done  under  similar  circumstances.     The  society  of  my 
brother  officers  was  not  agreeable  to  me,  so  I  walk- 
ed  away  alone.     Having  striven  in  vain  to  divert  my 
melancholy  by  an  inspection  of  the  canal,  I  turned 
my  steps  towards  the  river  side,  and  sat  down  in  a  re- 
tired  corner  close  to  the  margin  of  the  stream.     The 
day  chanced  to  be  remarkably  mild ;  the  sun  was  bright 
and  warm,  and  there  was  not  a  cloud  in  the  sky  to  ob- 
scure or  diminish  his  glory.     I  felt  his  power  and  ac 
23 


/ 
i;       'I 
) 


I 


1 


S68 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMEHICA. 


li 


::l'^ 


knowlcdged  it ;  and  I  felt  in  my  inmost  soul,  the  influ- 
ence  of  that  majestic  torrent  as  it  poured  past  me 
rapidly,  but  smoothly,  and  almost  silently.  1  was  not 
afraid  of  the  morrow,  for  danger  had  been  too  long 
familiar  with  me  not  to  have  lost  most  of  its  terrors  ; 
yet  I  question  whether  the  idea  of  death  ever  came 
across  my  mind  with  greater  solemnity  than  it  did  then. 
I  thought,  too,  of  my  home,  of  my  relations,  and  the 
friends  of  my  youth,  and  I  could  not  at  the  moment 
hinder  a  wish  from  passing  over  me,  that  I  had  been 
permitted  to  lay  my  bones  in  the  grave  of  my  fathers. 
But  these  were  enervating  images ;  I  knew  that  they 
were  so,  and  I  therefore  determined  to  resist  them ;  I 
rose,  therefore,  from  my  seat,  and  hurrying  back  to  the 
camp,  spent  the  rest  of  the  day  in  society.  At  an  early 
hour,  however,  both  Charlton  and  myself  retired  to 
rest ;  and  though  our  conversation  partook  for  a  mi- 
nute or  two  somewhat  of  the  gloomy,  we  soon  closed 
our  eyes,  and  fell  fast  asleep. 


Lil,  the  influ- 
ed  past  me 
1  was  not 
3en  too  long 
its  terrors ; 
1  ever  came 
n  it  did  then, 
ns,  and  the 
the  moment 
it  I  had  been 
my  fathers. 
3w  that  they 
sist  them ;  I 
5  back  to  the 
At  an  early 
If  retired  to 
k  for  a  mi- 
soon  closed 


A    SUBALTERN    IN   AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


259 


BATTLE  OP  NEW  ORLEANS. 

The  reader  is  probably  aware,  that,  according  to  the 
plan  originally  chalked  out,  a  detachment  of  some  twelve 
or  fourteen  hundred  men  had  received  orders  to  embark 
m  the  Mississippi  immediately  after  dark,  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  7th.     That  corps,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Thornton,  was  destined  to  make  good  its  land- 
mg,  and  to  carry  the  enemy's  batteries  an  hour  before 
dawn  on  the  8th.     On  our  side,  again,  nothing  offen- 
sive was  to  be  attempted  till  the  sound  of  firing  should 
give  notice  that  our  comrades  were  engaged — we  were 
merely  to  take  our  ground  as  close  to  the  American  lines 
as  circumstances  would  allow.     Unhappily,  however,  a 
rauititude  of  unexpected  disasters  served  to  frustrate  the 
most  important  of  these  arrangements.     The  banks  of 
tiie  canal  gave  way,  the  boats  were  slow  in  arriving, 
and  the  detachment  was  not  in  a  condition  to  move  till 
day  had  actually  broken ;  of  these  facts  we  were  after- 
wards too  fatally  made  aware.     But  at  the  moment  we 
knew  nothing  of  them ;  and  we  arose,  as  we  liad  been 
directed,  two  hours  before  dawn,  and  took  our  stations 
Having  been  led  to  believe  that  the  column,  as  soon* 


M 


iSi^niAjy' 


:ui 


f 


I      ! 


IS* 


\    J 


S60 


A   SUBALTERN    IN   AMKRICA. 


na  it  was  formed,  would  move  forward,  our  surprise 
may  be  guessed  at,  when  we  found  minute  after  minute 
stealing  away  without  the  advance  being  commanded. 
For  some  tin.o  we  regarded  the  delay  ag  accidental 
merely,  but  by  and  by  a  feeling  of  apprehension  arose 
lest  matters  should  have  gone,  in  some  important  point, 
awry,  and  we  should  be  doomed  to  a  continuance  of 
that  system  of  vacillation  and  delay  which  we  had  so 
long  endured,  and  which  we  all  so  keenly  reprobated. 
At  length,  however,  the  word  wag  given  to  push  on ; 
but  it  was  given  not  till  the  eastern  sky  had  begun  to 
redden,  and  though  we  obeyed  it  immediately,  we  ar- 
rived not  within  musket-shot  of  the  works  till  the  day 
had  dawned.  The  consequences  were  exactly  such  as 
night  have  been  expected.  The  Americans  saw  us, 
and  then  opened  upon  us  from  right  to  left,  a  fire  of 
musketry,  grape,  round-shot,  and  canister,  than  which 
I  have  certainly  never  witnessed  any  more  murderous. 

Before  I  proceed  to  offer  any  description  of  this  af- 
fair,  it  will  be  necessary  to  state,  somewhat  more  mi- 
nutely  than  I  have  yet  done,  the  manner  in  which  it 
was  proposed  that  it  should  be  conducted. 

The  main  attack,  on  the  present  occasion,  was  di- 
reeled  against  the  left  of  the  American  position.  It 
was  led  on  by  Major-General  Gibbs,  to  whose  prudence 
the  regiments  alreadjfc,  named,  with  one  black  corps, 
were  entrusted.  To  enable  the  troops  to  pass  the  ditch, 
a  number  of  fascines,  gabions,  and  scaling-ladders  had 
l)een  constructed,  which  were  all  deposited  in  a  sort  of 
rude  redoubt,  thrown  up  on  the  right  of  our  bivouac. 
These  the  44th  regiment  was  appointed  to  carry ;  they 


111 


A   SUBALXEBN    IN   AMERICA. 


261 


)ur  surprise 
ifter  minute 
ommanded. 
1  accidental 
nsion  arose 
)rtant  point, 
itinuancc  of 
we  had  so 
reprobated, 
to  push  on ; 
d  begun  to 
tcly,  we  ar- 
lill  the  day 
ctly  such  OH 
ns  saw  us, 
:f>,  a  fire  of 
than  which 
murderous. 
I  of  this  a£^ 
t  more  mi- 
n  which  it 

on,  was  di- 
osition.  It 
50  prudence 
lack  corps, 
IS  theditch» 
ladders  had 
n  a  sort  of 
n  bivouac, 
arry ;  they 


were  desired  to  pack  them  up  whilst  in  the  act  of  ad- 
vancing, and  to  form,  thus  armed,  tlie  head  oi  the  storm- 
ing party.  The  44th  regiment  disobeyed  flie  orders 
given  to  them.  Tliey  hd  us,  indeed,  into  the  (ield,  but 
they  left  all  their  implements  behind  them,  as  if  no  such 
implements  had  been  needed.  On  our  left  acain,  Ge- 
neral  Kean,  with  his  column,  was  commanded  not  so 
much  to  attempt  anything  serious,  as  to  divert  the  at- 
tention of  the  enemy  by  demonstrations.  In  case,  in- 
deed, any  uiilooked  for  opi  >irtuiiity  should  occu.,  he 
was  expected  to  avail  hinself  of  it;  but  the  grent  end 
which  he  was  designed  lo  serve,  was  that  of  distracting 
the  enemy's  councils,  and  diverting  part  of  their  atten- 
tion from  us. 

I  have  said,  that  long  before  we  arrived  within  mus- 
ket-range, the  tlay  had  begun  to  dawn  upon  us.  Tlie 
.same  light  which  exposed  us  to  the  view  of  the  enemy, 
served  to  inform  Sir  Edward  Pakcnham  that  one  of  his 
most  important  directions  had  been  disregarded,  and  he 
instantly  dispatched  an  aid-de-camp  with  orders  to  Co- 
lonel  MuUins  to  lose  no  time  in  remedying  the  evil. 
But  before  the  aid-de-camp  came  up,  the  enemy  had 
opened  their  fire,  and  the  44th,  broken  and  dispersed, 
had  become  completely  unman;igcablc.  Nothinc  now 
remained  but  to.  press  forward  at  once,  with  the  regi- 
ments which  still  preserved  their  order.  M^e  advanced 
at  double  quick  time,  under  a  fire  which  mowed  us 
down  by  whole  sections,  and  were  approaching  the 
ditch,  when  suddenly  a  regular  lane  was  cut  from  front 
to  rear  of  the  column.  There  was  a  thirty-two  pounder 

gun  exactly  in  our  front.     This  the  enemy  filled  up  to 
23* 


Ii  :^ 


i!  m 


963 


A   SVRALTBRN    IN   AMBRICA. 


the  very  muzzle  with  musket  balls,  and  laid  it  with  the 

nicest  axjcuracy.     One  single  discharge  served  to  sweep 

the  centre  of  the  attacking  force  into  eternity.     In  the 

whole  course  of  my  military  career,  I  recollect  no  such 

instance  of  desperate  and  immediate  slaughter  as  then. 

The  aiat,  which  led  the  way,  was  broken  at  once ;  the 

corps  which  followed  were  not  in  much  better  order  ; 

but  wo  still  pushed  forward,  and  at  lust,  about  two  or 

three  hundred  of  us  gained  the  ditch.     It  was  in  vain 

that  we  ilid  oUr  bcsi  to  mount  the  parapet.   The  works 

were  not,  indeed,  very  high,  nor  the  ditch  deep,  and 

had  we  been  more  numerous,  without  a  doubt  we  should 

have  passed  tliom  ;  but  the  soft  earth  gave  way  with 

us,  and  as  often  as  wo  succeeded  in  arriving  near  the 

summit,  we  regularly  slid  down  again.  Satisricd  at  last, 

that  till  further  support  should  arrive  nothing  could  be 

done, -we  sheltered  ourselves  as  we  were  best  able,  and 

kept  quiet. 

WhUst  thus  resting,  as  it  were  comparatively  safe,  I 
was  enabled,  by  looking  back,  to  obtain  a  tolerably  cor- 
rect view  of  what  was  going  on.  Our  column  remain- 
ed  whore  it  had  at  tirst  been  checked,  and  was  now  a 
mere  maas  of  confusion.  Between  it  and  us,  the  ground 
was  literally  covered  with  dead  ;  they  were  so  numer- 
ous,  that  to  count  thorn  seemed  impossible ;  but  what 
astonished  me  above  all  things,  was  to  behold  General 
Kean's  brigade  in  full  march  across  the  plain,  and  hur- 
rying  to  the  support  of  th'Mvhich  had  suifered  so  se- 
verely.  General  Kean  is  as  brave  an  officer  as  any  in 
the  service  ;  and  beyond  all  doubt,  his  zeal  and  bravery 
tempted  him  to  take  this  step ;  but  never  was  any  step 


A   STTBALTER^    Ilf    AMEBICA. 


26J 


d  it  with  the 
I'^ed  to  sweep 
ity.  In  the 
lect  no  such 
Iter  as  then. 
It  once ;  the 
etter  order ; 
bout  two  or 
was  in  vain 
The  works 
1  deep,  and 
)t  we  should 
;  way  with 
tig  near  the 
sried  at  last, 
ng  could  be 
st  able,  and 

vcly  safe,  I 
lerably  cor- 
nnn  remain- 
was  now  a 
the  ground 
so  numer- 
;  but  what 
Id  General 
1,  and  hur- 
red  so  se- 
r  as  any  in 
nd  bravery 
Ls  any  step 


taken  more  imprudently,  or  with  less  judgment.     The 
advance  of  his  own  corps,  consisting  of  the  light  com- 
panies  of  the  7th  and  93d,  with  one  company  of  the 
43d,  had  already  stormed  and  taken  a  six-gun  battery 
upon  the  road.     Had  General  Kean  supported  them, 
instead  of  seeking  to  support  us,  there  cannot  be  a 
doubt  that  the  American  lines  would  have  been  forced 
in  that  quarter.  But  he  did  not  support  them ;  and  these 
brave  men,  after  having  maintained  themselves  in  their 
conquest,  till  they  had  been  almost  cut  to  pieces,  were 
compelled  to  retreat.     His  arrival,  besides,  in  this  part 
of  the  field,  only  added  to  the  general  confusion.     A 
desperate  attempt  was,  indeed,  made  to  renew  the  charge 
—but  Sir  Edward  Pakcnham  having  fallen.  General 
Gibbs  being  borne  mortally  wounded  to  the  rear,  and 
General  Kcan  himself  disabled,  the  attempt  failed  of 
success.    Both  columns  wavered,  retired,  and  at  la&t 
fled. 

In  the  meanwhile,  our  little  corps,  with  a  few  strag- 
gling fires  of  the  riflemen,  continued  to  occupy  the  ene- 
mies  ditch.  Not  willing  to  surrender  at  once,  we 
endeavoured,  in  conjunction  with  the  advance  of  the 
column,  to  force  our  way  within  the  lines;  and  about 
70  men  succeeded,  I  believe,  in  the  attempt  ,•  but  of  the 
circumstances  which  attended  their  capture,  for  captured 
they  all  were,  I  know  nothing.  I  had  clambered  to  the 
top  of  the  parapet,  and  was  preparing  to  spring  among 
the  enemy,  when  a  shot  struck  me  in  the  head  ;  I  fell 
back,  and  recollect  nothing  farther.  How  I  was  con- 
veyed from  the  ditch,  and  escaped  utter  destruction,  I 
cannot  tell ;  for  I  became  insensible  on  the  instant ;  bu 


I 


264 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


'tl    , 


that  my  comrarlcs  did  not  desert  me  was  sufficiently 
proved  by  the  p'ight  in  which  I  found  myself  when  my 
senses  returned.  I  was  lying  on  a  mattress,  in  a  small 
room,  surrounded  by  hrilf  a  dozen  officers,  all  of  whom 
were  wounded,  and  a  medical  gentleman  was  in  the  act 
of  removing  a  bandage  from  my  brow.  He  was  a  stran- 
ger to  me,  and  I  lool  ed  at  him  with  an  expression  of 
inquiry  in  my  glance,  which  he  did  not  misunderstand. 
But  though  the  case  was  so,  he  refused  to  enter  into 
any  conversation  with  me,  assuring  me  that  my  only 
chance  of  recovery  lay  in  keeping  quiet ;  and  we  de- 
parted not  from  that  system  till  a  full  week  had  expired. 
At  the  end  of  that  time,  however,  I  learned  that  some 
of  my  men,  hoping  that  there  might  still  be  life  in  me, 
had  carried  me  off  on  the  failure  of  the  last  attack,  and 
that  I  had  continued  in  a  state  of  stupor  daring  six-and- 
thirty  hours  after. 

From  that  period,  up  to  the  moment  of  my  removal, 
I  knew  nothing  of  the  movements  or  operations  of  the 
army,  except  from  heresay.  That  it  suffered  terribly 
in  the  late  actions,  the  multitudes  of  maimed  aud  mu- 
tilated creatures  who  tilled  the  hospital,  abundantly  tes- 
tified ;  and  that  it  continued  to  suffer  hardships  and 
privations  as  severe  as  it  has  often  fallen  to  the  lot  of 
men  to  endure,  all  agreed  in  stating.  For  myself,  I  re- 
gained my  strength  slowly  and  painfully,  and  did  so, 
only  to  witness  the  agonies  of  those  who  surrounded 
me.  Of  the  six  individuals  whom  I  had  seen  on  first 
awaking  from  my  trance,  two  died  within  the  week  ; 
and  a  third,  living  by  some  extraordinary  vigour  of 
constitution  one  day  beyond  them,  died  also.     Than 


i  sufficiently 
self  when  my 
!S,  in  a  small 
all  of  whom 
ms  in  the  act 
was  a  stran- 
xpression  of 
sundcrstand. 
to  enter  into 
lat  my  only 
and  we  de- 
had  expired. 
;d  that  some 
c  Hfe  in  me, 
;  attack,  and 
•ing  six-and- 

ny  removal, 
itions  of  the 
red  terribly 
led  aud  mu- 
ndantly  tes- 
rdships  and 
o  the  lot  of 
•nyself,  I  re- 
and  did  so, 
surrounded 
een  on  first 
the  week  ; 
{  vigour  of 
Iso.     Than 


A   SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


S65 


the  condition  of  this  last  youth,  none  can  be  imagined 
mere  shocking.  A  cannon  ball  having  struck  him  in 
the  hip,  carried  away  the  whole  of  the  quarter,  smash- 
>ng  his  left  hand  which  rested  upon  it;  yet  in  this  plight, 
with  his  bowels  fallen  or  falling  out,  and  the  whole 
system  in  a  state  of  putrefaction,  the  poor  boy  existed 
eight  days.  The  remaining  three,  like  myself,  recov- 
ered ;  but  wilh  one,  it  was  with  the  loss  of  both  feet  ; 
whilst  another  retained,  and  probably  still  retains,  a 
musket  ball  in  his  groin. 

In  this  state  I  continued,  being  constantly  visited  by 
my  friend  Charlton,  up  to  the  morning  of  the  17th, 
when,  in  company  with  many  others,  I  was  carried 
down  to  the  canal,  and  placed  in  a  boat.     A  consider- 
able flotilla,  loaded  wilh  stores,  light  guns,  and  wound- 
ed men,  accompanied  us ;  and  we  set  sail   an  hour  or 
two  before  noon,  for  the  fleet.     It  was  a  long  tedious 
voyage,  particularly  to  us,  whose  frames  were  so  mi- 
serably  shaken ;  but  at  last  we  reached  the  anchorage, 
and  were  taken  on  board.    There,  every  possible  at- 
tantion  wa?  paid  to  us.     Our  food  was  of  the  lightest 
and  best  quality ;  our  nursing  was  as  gentle  as  if  our 
mothers  or  sisters  had  attended  on  us,  and  our  strength 
came  again  with  surprising  rapidity;  but  mine  was  ne- 
ver such  during  the  remainder  of  the  war,  as  that  I 
could  either  join  my  comrades  in  their  proceedings,  or 
keep  an  accurate  journal  of  my  own. 

Under  these  circumstances,  I  will  not  waste  yours, 
or  your  readers'  time,  by  attempting  any  narrative  of 
events,  which  have  teen  already  recorded,  and  of  which 


•  •  •  » « •  I 

•  .  « • 

•  .  •  . . .  • 


1 1 .  I » 
«  • » 
»  .  •  •  • 


. .    ... 


I 


266 


A  SUBALTERN   IN   AMERICA. 


I  could  speak  only  from  the  icport  ol'  others.  It  is 
enougii  to  remind  you,  that  the  army  retreated  on  the 
19th,  that  in  the  course  of  its  retreat,  it  underwent  in- 
numerable liardships  ;  that  itreembarked  its  last  diviaion 
on  the  yist;  and  once  more  put  to  sea  on  the  4th  of 
March.  Steering  down  the  Lakes,  the  fleet  made  for 
the  coast  of  Mobille,  and  on  the  7th  again  landed  the 
troops  on  Dauphin  Island.  In  this  landing  I  accom- 
panied them,  not  as  a  combatant,  for  I  was  still  too 
weak  to  think  of  that ;  but  that  I  might  enjoy  the  bless- 
ings of  a  free  atmosphere,  and  larger  space  than  could 
be  aflbrded  me  on  board  of  ship.  There,  then,  I  con- 
tinued, till  the  intelligence  of  the  peace  reached  us ;  and 
on  the  27th,  took  shipping  for  old  England. 


h 


THE   END. 


\ 


thcrs.  It  is 
■eated  on  the 
ndcrwcnt  in- 
i  last  division 
3n  the  4th  oC 
ct  made  for 
in  landed  the 
ing  I  accom- 
ras  still  too 
oy  the  bless- 
e  than  could 
then,  I  con- 
ched  us ;  and 
d. 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photograpliic 

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Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

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the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  w:th  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
OK-  illustrated  impression. 


The  iasi  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exernplaira  film6  fut  reproduit  grAce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Sibiiothdque  nationale  du  Quebec 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  I'exenplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  film6s  en  commenqant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commengant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
idproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  (I  est  fiimd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


rata 

0 


lelure, 

I  a 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

I 


H 


a  G.  MG»  PAtIt  BEOCH 


p«raliis^et)t 


NN  SS.  L.  N.  B:feGIN,  archev« 
J.  T.  DUHAMEt,  arcl 
L.  P.  A».  LANOEVIH 
I,.  F.  LAFI^feCHE,  ^ 
U  Z.  MORRATi,  ^vfiq 
N.  Z.  tORRAIN,  4:vti 
EtPH.  GRAVEL,  ^v^ 
A.  A,  BI*AIS,  €vfe«5ne  < 
M.  T  tABRECtJtJE, 
J.  M.  BMARD,  ^vSqw 
PAUL  LAROCQUE,^ 

MON 

1 


P"~PiiiliiPPi^ 


Lll 


Association 
Catholique 
et 
Nationals  de 


S.  G.  Mgf 


NN.  SS.  L.  N. 
J.  T.  ] 
L.  P.  . 
L.  F. 
L.  Z. 
N.  Z. 
ELPF 
A.  A.  : 
M.  T. 

J.  M. : 

PAUL 


I 


ffli  m  wiiiii 


Bienfaisance 
Assurance 
populaire 
A  Taux  Fixes. 


jf  pcsz(icr)f  .  a*|-lor)r)aur  •  ef .  |4aut  •  |f  rofecleur  : 
S.  G.  Mgr  PAUL  BRUCHESI,  archeveque  de  Montreal. 


P 


auienjerjt   approuvec   par 


NN.  SS.  L.  N.  BEGIN,  archeveque  de  Quebec. 

J.  T.  DUHAMEL,  archeveque  d'Ottawa. 

L.  P.  Ad.  LANGEVIN,  archeveque  de  St-Bouiface. 

L.  F.  IvAFL^CHE,  ^veque  des  Trois-Rivieres. 

L.  Z.  MOREAU,  ^v^que  de  St-Hyacinthe. 

N.  Z.  LORRAIN,  eveque  de  Pembrooke. 

ELPH.  GRAVEL,  dveque  de  Nicolet. 

A.  A.  BLAIS,  dveque  de  Riinouski. 

M.  T.  LA^RECQUE,  ^veqwe  de  (Jiicoutiini. 

J.  M.  EI\r\i?.i>'6^^qiie  d'S  Valk'y'field.     '    ;  ' 

PAUL  LAkbCgUE,  eveque  de*Silerbr6ote.  " 


W 


I 


62178 


L 


•    ••«   •      -•  • 
It  •    »  -  *        •  •  * 


L'Uni 
oitobre 
Ht-  JciUi 
philiintl 
Gustave 
eonseil  } 
Ilobillar 
L'iiiU 
lot'alc,  s 
aux  iiiei 

j  se  repan 
Quebec, 
siou.  Ce 
bieii  qu' 
repondii 
plus  (le 

:  Franc()-( 
provinei 

,  viendi'a 
Al'in 

1  qui  avai' 

'  Mgr  Bru 
cieur  a  a 

^Haut    P 

f  veneres  ( 


L'ONION  FRflNCO-CflNflDIENNE 


NOTES    PRELIMINAIRES 


L' Union  Franco-Cunadienue  fut  fondee,  a  Montreal,  le  ler 
octobre  1894,  par  M.  Tablte  Ma<rloire  Auclair,  curt'  dela  paroisse 
Ht  -  Jean  -  Baptist(3  de  Montreal,  secondu  par  un  groupe  de 
philanthropes  chretiens,  au  nonibre  desiinels  so  trouvent  M. 
Gustavo  I^unotho,  C.  R.,  M.  lo  Dr  J.-T.  Dosrochos,  niomhro  dii 
consoil  provincial  d' hygiene,  M.  H.  Pollotior,  avocat,  M.  L.-G. 
Robillard,  comptablo,  ex-inspoctour  d'ecolos. 

1/ intention  premiere  avait  eto  d'en  t'airo  une  institution 
locale,  specialenient  en  vuo  craccordor  des  secours  en  nialadie, 
aux  tnonil)res  on  regie  do  1' association.  Mais  bientot,  son  noin 
se  ropandit  au  loin  et,  de  toutes  parts,  dans  la  pi«)vince  de 
Quebec,  on  sollicita  sos  dirocteurs  do  lui  donnor  i)lus  d'oxpan- 
sion.  Coux-ci  no  cruront  pas  pouvoir  refuser  leurs  concours  au 
bien  (pi'il  }•  avait  a  fairo  par  une  organisation  de  ce  genre.  lis 
repondirent  aux  ai)pels  reiteres  des  differontes  paroisses,  dont 
plus  de  cent  cinquante  sont  anjourd'hui  atiilieos  a  L' Union 
Franco-Canadienne.  L' association  a  pris  ainsi  un  caracto'-e 
provincial,  et  tout  fait  presagor  (ju'avant  longtenii)s  oUe  do- 
viendra  une  organisation  veritablenient  nationalo. 

A  I'instar  de  son  predeccsseur  tl'illustro  niemoiro,  Mgr  Fabre, 
(|ui  avait  Ix'-ni  et  encourage  Tassociation  a  ses  debuts,  S.  G. 
Mgr  Bruchesi,  archevoque  do  ^b)ntreal,  a  consenti  de  grand 
coeur  a  accepter  los  titres  et  (jualitos  de  President  d'honneur  et 
Haut  Pnitoctour  dt:  L' Union  Franct)-Canadionn('.  Tons  ses 
veneres  collogues  dans  Tepiscopat  .du  Canada  franyais  ont,  a  la 


r. 


suite   (k:    Mtrr    l)nirli('si,    M|»i);'ou\r'     rassdiiutioii,    p  )iir     Icurs 
juridictioiis  respective^. 

IMiisieins  (ie  Xos  Sei<j;iieiirs  out  lueiue  (liii<,'ue  iu.sister  surleur 
ji|)pi'()|):iti()U  i)reiuiere.  S.  (1.  Mouseiuueur  de  St-Hy:u'iutii<',  le 
14  U()veuil)re  1S1)7.  ei-rivait  daus  jes  tenues  suivauts  au  Set-re- 
taire  (ieuenil  de  l/l'uiou  l-'raueo-Cauadieuue  : 

".Ie  clrsire  Ix'aiu'on])  Ic  siicc"'H  v\  la  ])nis|)('iiir'  dc  L'Ciiioii  Friuu-K-Ca- 
iiadieniie,  i)arc'e  qnV'llc  est  ifli^neiis  ■  ct  natioiiale,  et  qirel'ie  me  i)arait 
basee  siir  des  ivjfles  pniileii'cs.  ('niiscieiu'ieiisi'H  et  wii^^cs,  "CLMiue  n'ont  pas 
I'avanlage  de  pdssrdi'i'  ces  sncieteK  sans  religion  (jiii  viennent  des 
Ktats-rnisel  d'(  )ntari(i,  et  (pii  innndent  nialiieiireuscnieut  imtre  province 
de  Quebec.  .Ie  dt''pioi'(' beaiicuni),  puiir  liia  i)art,  cet  engonenient  de  ims 
C()ini)atri()tes  :\  s'aflilier  a  lies  socictes  t'-trangeres,  doiit  il.s  necoiinaisseiit 
jias  roi'ientation,  les  tendances,  ni  Ie  foiictioiiiKMuent.  Anssi.  sont-ilH 
grandement  exijoses  a  snt)ir.  pin-  tard,  iin  niecoiupte  et  des  lu-rtcH  l)ien 
regi'ettables.  lis  ne  nianipieiu  pnurtant  pan,  a  cet  egard,  d'avis  dewinti.^- 
resses  et  s-alutaires. 

Kn  demandant  au  Ciel  de  b.Miir  V(jtre  zjle  pour  rextension  de  votre 
societe,  je  tli'ini'ure 

Vutrc  tout  devone  en  X.  S. 

tL.  Z.  Kv.  deSt-Hyaeintbe. 

De  sou  cote,  8.  CI.    Mousei<fueur  de  Riiuouslci  ecrivait  an 
uieuie  ollieier,  en  date  du  1(>  uoviMubre  1897  : 

"Je  ne  saniais  trop  vdiis  fi'licitei- (bi  zMe  eclaire  que  vou.s  deployez, 
dans  le  l)ul  pati'loticpie  et  religit'iix  d'inciilquer  a  nos  populations  une 
f-age  prt'voyance  des  be^oins  dc  I'avenir,  par  la  praticpie  de  recononue 
qui  produira,  entre  autres  fruits  si  utiles  a  tons,  indipeusables  meine 
pourplusiours,  ci>s  epargnes  que  les  families  trouveront  a  lein-disposition 
dans  les  SDcietes  nationales  de  l)ienfaisance,  solidenieut  etablies  et  fide- 
ment  acbiiinistn'i's. 

Aussi,  j'ai  In  avec  un  vif  iuteivt  voti'e  elude.  Kile  repond  a  la  fin  que 
vons  vous  propose/  d'attebidre,  et  je  suis  d'avis  que,  repandue  dans  nos 
campagnos,  elle  y  fora  ibi  bion.  Suis  doute,  elle  ne  r^Missira  pasadis-siper 
du  prenuer  coup  tons  le^  prt'jug'''s,  ni  a  ])rodnire  la  conviction  dans  to. is 
les  (.'Sprits  ;  mais  die  attirera  i)artout  Fattenlion  sur  la  ^(jcietc  de  bien- 
faisancea  taux  fixes  diti>  /,'  Vni'm  Friiiic'i-C.iiKi'Heinii',  que  je  reeonunautle 
de  nouveaua  la  consideration  (\v  tons  mes  dioc;'sains. 

Dans  ces  disi)nsitions,  je  vous  souliaile  toutes  sortes  de  biens,  et  je 
demeure,  Monsieiii'  k'  Secretaire, 

Votre  tout  devoue  sei'viteur  en  N'.-S. 

t  Andre- Albert.  V.\.  de  St-Germain  de  Rimouski. 


Moll 
juonsietii 
diciiue.  1 

"  MoN( 
les  societe 
remercie  ( 
a  faire  im 

"  II  est 
mouvoir  h 
naturel,  c( 
en  tout  Ic 
detourner 
I)arce  qn'  I 
les  engage 
catboli(pu 

"  .Maisj 
])rudence 
et  reconnn 
interets  h\ 
leurs  Intel 

"  Voila, 
L'Uiuon  1 

"  An  pii 
conipeten( 
sui\i  dan;- 
conscienci 

"  Aa  /)' 
associatioi 
condition!' 
digue  de  1 

"  Aussi, 
<leja  prodi 
vous  enga; 
desireut  s' 
I  LTnion  1 
tions  neut 
implanter 

"  Ku  Ibi 
societe  qu» 
point  de  v 

Agreez, 
en  Nutre-i; 


» )Ui'     Icurs 

tor  sur  Iciir 
at'iiithc,   Ic 


Fninco-Ca- 
(>  me  i);iniit 
lie  ii'diit  i)aH 

icillU'lll      (Ics 

itic  pi'Dviiice 

llClil    do    IlliM 

'conimisHciit 

issi,    Hont-ils 

ju'i'tcH   l)i('n 

ivis  (loHiiitO- 

ioii  lie  votru 


t-Hyaciiithe. 
ucrivtiit  au 

IS    (It'plc )}•('/, 

ilatii)ii«  11110 
!  IT'cononiiii 
>ahlort  1111*1110 
f(liyp(»«itii)ii 
blios  ot  lido- 

l  la  fin  que 
Ino  dans  nos 
asadissipor 
ill  dans  to. IS 
tc  do  bicn- 
ecoinniaiulo 

bions,  et  je 


i  Rimouski. 


M()iis('i;^'iu'iir  do  (lliicordinii  ocrit,  a  son  tour,  au  iiioiik' 
iiioiisiour  I,.  (1.  Ifoliillard,  Sec.  (u'n.  do  L'Unioii  Fraiico-Cana- 
dicmio.  lo  L'S  doceinhro  1S!)7: 

'•  MiiN  ciiKit  MoNsiKTit : — J'ai  rorn  los  cxoiiiplaircs  do  votic  otiido  siir 
los  sdcioto."  do  bionfaisaiu'o,  (pio  vous  iii'avo/  invsoiitos.  .I(^  voiis  on 
roiiiorcio  (•(trdialonioiit.  .I'ai  In  atti'iitivoiuoiU  co  travail  ot  lo  crois  pi'dpro 
;'i  faii'o  nil  t^raiid  bioii. 

'■  II  ost  ooi'tain  (pio,  dans  iiotro  Hi''('l(>,  lo  poiipio  dosiro  proto^jor  ot  pro 
inuiivoir  sos  intorots,  par  dos  associations  do  toiitos  sortos.  Cost  son  droit 
natiirol,  coniino  c'ost  lo  devoir  dos  ])astoiirs  do  lo  dirijjor,  en  eela  coinine 
on  tout  lo  roslo.  Lo  Sonvorain  Pontile  roi'oiniiiando  anx  evofinos  do 
detourner.  avoc  zMoet  priidonoo,  losoatlioliqnos  dos  associations  nont  res, 
parce  qii' II  los  eonsidore  coniine  trop  sonveiit  xiispcdrx  ti  lUuHicniiHCK,  et  de 
los  enj^ager,  en  nioiiio  tcMiqjs,  i\  s'aHilior  aux  associations  I'ranclieniont 
catlioliipu's. 

"  .Mais  jo  coiisidero  cpio  Ics  ovoiiiios,  jioiir  s'arcpiittor  do  co  dovoiravi'c 
])rudoiico  ot  charito,  doivont  s'assuror  si  los  sociotos  (pTils  onconragont 
et  recoiiiiiiandoiit  offront  dosgaranties  s;'rieiises,  iioii-soiiloiiient  ponr  les 
intorots  spirituols  dos  fidolos  dont  ils  out  la  gardi'.  niais  encore  ponr 
lours  interots  pnrenient  toinporels. 

"  Voila,  dans  inoii  hiiiiiblo  opinion,  los  garantios  (pie  troiivoront  dans 
L'Union  Franco-Canadioniie  les  catlioliqiios  qni  ilosiroront  s'y  atlilior. 

*'  Ah  puliit  (If  nie  JiiKOicier,  dos  lioininos  trafl'airos  serionx  et  d'line 
coinpotonco  incontestable,  apros  avoir  soignoiisonient  otndie  lo  systeine 
sni^i  <laiis  votre  socioto  lie  bionfaisanco  a  taux  iixos,  ponvent  assurer 
coiiscioncieiisoiiiont  (pi'il  offre  toutes  los  iiioillonros  garantios. 

"All,  p'liiit  (l,r  riic  iH'inil,  l/Union  Fraiico-Canadienno,  otant  nne 
association  a  la  fois  catlioliqneet  iiationnlo.  me  parait  roalisor  toiitos  les 
conditions  doiiiaiidoos  par  lo  Sonvorain  I'miiilo  pour  qn'nno  S(JCieto  soit 
digne  do  roncoiiragoniont  doscatlioli(pios. 

"  Aussi,  jo  suis  heurinix  de  vous  toliciter  dii  bien  quo  vutre  societo  a 
<loja  produit  dans  la  Province,  et  on  particulier  dans  mon  diocese.  Je 
voiis  oiigago  .1  rotablir  dans  toutes  les  hjcalit.'s  iin  pen  inipcjrtaiites,  qui 
dosireiit  s'allilior  aux  asS(^cialioiis  de  ce  genre,  et  j'ose  iiieiiioosporor  que 
L' Union  Franco-Caiiadienne  reinplacera,  avant  longtenips,  les  associa- 
tions neutrt's.  suspeclos  on  dangoreusos  quo,  dopuis  peu.  Ton  clierche  il 
iniplantor  dans  plusieurs  paroissos  tie  mon  diocise. 

"  En  linissant,  je  prio  Dieu  tie  benir  votre  zele  pour  Textension  d'nne 
suciete  que  jo  crois  dostinoe  a  faire  un  grand  bien  parmi  nous,  au  double 
point  de  vue  national  ot  religieux. 

Agree/,  ^lousieur  le  Secretaire,  Fassurance  de  mon  entier  devouemeut 

011  Nutre-Seigneur, 

t  M.  T.  Ev.  do  Chicoutimi. 


i 


i 


A 


na 


■ 


V'oici  ciMiiK'ls  tt'i-iiics  NN.  SS.  H«V'i".  <ii';ivtl  d  Lniijicviii 
•  •lit  (loiinc  (»ii  iviiouvcl.'  |<iir  asscntiiiiciit  a  Tu'iivri"  |)()iir.5ui- 
vic  par  l/Ciiioii  l"'iaiU'o-('ai»a(licniic. 

Aiu  Mi:vi':<  IMC  nr;  (iiKiiiX',   lii  .ianvikk  LSIW 

MoiiHii'iiiJ.  .M.  A.  Di'iiiiiili,  \i(v-I'iv.H.l»'iit  dc  I/T.  F.  C.  Montival. 

J/(N/.>t/V»;-;— ,  .J'ui  ileji'i  doniK'- moil  jii)i)n>l)utinii,  a  la  suite  dc  .Moii.sci- 
giKMii  rAichcvoqiic  (k' Moiitn'al.  u  l/liiidii  Fiiiiu-o-Cuiuulicnnt',  vi  y 
!<uis  liciirt'iix  il'apprcialic  ciiic  k"  s^vhIi'-iiu'  d'aHsiirancu  do  cettu  socitHt', 
cxaiiiiiu'  a  funds  par  dew  1ioim..m'.s  coinpi'trnts,  a  t'tc' dtVIaiv  I'tabli  siiimU-h 
bancs  HolideH  vt  propn'  a  \ut^[n\vr  coiiliancc  an  puhlic.  ("est  iiii  iioiivcau 
litre  a  mcjii  ei'cuuraj^eiiieiitet  je  desire  <iiif  la  eauipagiie  de  propagande 
que  I'.i  suciete  va  entreprMiidre  dans  le  iliocCse  de  (iiiebee  soil  courunnee 
de  auccea. 

L.  X.  Arch,  du  Cyrine,  Administrateur. 

Nit'Ul-KT,    4  .lANVlKIJ    18!I8. 

Monsieur  L.  Ci.  Roljiilard,  Secret  a  ire-Oeneral 

de  JjTnion  Franco-Canadienne. 

Moil  rhn'  .}fo,i.v(ur  -.  —  Av  n'ai  pii  etudier  a  nia  satisfaction  le  aysteme 
d'assurance  de  votre  soci^te,  niais  apr^s  la  recommandation  de  I'Ordi- 
naire  du  diocese  ou  elle  a  pris  naissance  et  ou  elle  continue  d'avoir  son 
Bureau  ])rincipal  Ics  paroit-a  el(  qi.entes  que  lui  ont  aeliessces  sept  de 
nies  veneres  collogues,  et  les  certilicats  donnes  par  plusieurs  Inminiea 
d'affaires  bien  connus  coniuie  cot.  ;)etents  dans  ce  genre  d'operation,  je 
n'henite  pas  a  donner  aiissi  inoii  approbation  a  votre  suciete  et  a  lui  sou- 
liaiter  une  grande  diffusion. 

Avec  considcratuin,  inon  cher  uionsieiu', 

\'<iti'e  devoue  serviteur, 

tKlphC'ge,  Va\  de  Xicolet. 
Akcjicvkche  \)K  St-1]omkace,  -Max.,  11  .janvikk  1808. 
Cher  ^Monsieur  .J.  M.  A.  Denault. 

Ce  ni'est  un  veritable  boidieurde  me  joindre  a  votre  venerable  arche- 
veque,  Monseigneur  Bruehesi,  et  a  taut  de  distingues  Prelals,  pour 
appronver  avec  eux  la  society  appelee  "  L"  I'uion  Franco-Canadienne." 

Jette  Societe,  je  n'en  doiue  pas,  est  ai)pelee  a  rendre  de  gramls  servi- 
ces et  la  meilleure  preuve  en  est  que  vous  ne  craignez  pas  la  lumiere  : 
vous  la  recherchez,  au  ccjiitraire,  pour  rester  toujours  unis  dans  un  meme 
esprit  de.Foi  et  de  Chariteavec  vus  premiers  I'astein-s.  C'est  pour  vous 
un  gage  assure  de  succ^s,  etje  vous  tVlicite  d'avoirsi  bien  comprisqu'une 
teuvre  canadienue  frau;aise  devait  etre,  pour  reussir.  une  cuuvre  essen- 
tiel lenient  catholique. 


nv.   |)()ur.5ui- 

lANVIKK    l.S!);-! 

^Iniitival. 
V  (Ic  .MoiKsci- 
uliciinc,  I't  jo 
wtte  Hofii'te, 
i''t;ibli  sui'di'M 
I  nil  iioiivcaii 
I'  prnpiigiliuli" 
nil  coiinnuu'e 

luiiiistmtour. 
lANVlKIJ   18!  18. 


Ill  le  HystL'inu 
on  de  I'Ordi- 
K'  d'avoir  son 
•t^awa  Hi'pt  de 
nirs  litiniiiifH 
'operation,  je 
LJ  I't  :\  hii  suu- 


V.  dv  Xicoit't. 

JANVIliK  JS!)8. 


erable  arclio- 
'rt'lals,  pour 
nadienne." 
;raiuls  servi- 
ia  Itiniiure  : 
iins  nil  luc'iiie 
it  pour  vous 
iiipi'isqu'nne 
uuvro  esseii- 


li.iis-!  ■/,-iiiiii  aJDiiicr  CKinliicii  jc  (h'.,<iit'  voir  Vdtrc  licllc  sncit'ti'  n't'-tahlir 
an  Maiiiiol)!!  ct  dans  tdiit  roiicsl  Caiaulicii  :  die  y  ^ruiipcrait  iioHCana- 
'  dii'iis  t-ntit"  fux,  I'llf  Ics  I'di'tilicrait  pour  la  Inltc,  file  icnr  ansiircrait,  di- 
pins,  en  ti'inps  dc  inaladif,  Ics  nioyciis  dc  soiiU  nir  icnr  cxistciu'c. 

Daijiiir/.  a^^ri'cr,  ciu'r  nioiisiciir  I»cininU,  ('assurance  dc  nioii   'iitierde- 
vonenieiil  en  N.-S.   ct  .M.  I. 

t  Aileiard,  O.  M.  I.. 

Aicli.  dc  St  r.oiiii'acc. 


L't'leiueiit  lauiiic  ii'ost  pas  moiiis  syinjiatliniuc  u  runivri! 
(Ic  LTiiidii  Fraiicd-Canaditniic.  F.cs  IntinnK';;  d'afVairos.  Ich 
lioiimics  (ractioii,  Ics  hoiimics  irduvrcs.  Its  piililicistcs  s((  don- 
iient  la  main  pour  rcncoiirajfcr  dans  sts  iiatriotitjiics  ciTorts.  Kt 
Miici  lU- vv  fait  (jiicliiiics  attestations  clioisics  ciitrc  dcs  ccntai- 
ncs  d'aiUrcs  pareilles,  niais  (pril  sciait  trop  long  di-  citcr,  voire 
nienu'  d'enuiMi'rer  ici  : 

f  CnicoiTi.Mi,  18  ocTdiJUK  18117. 

A  .Monsieur  L.  (i.  Kobillard,  Sec.  (ieiieial 

dc  I/l'nioii  l^raiico-Caiiadit'inic. 
Ciirr  Mntisifiir  : — II  nie  fait  plaisir  d'a|)]ii'endrc  (pie  nous  avcz  resoln 
d'etablir  line  siu'cnrsalc  di'  LTiiioii  Franeo-Caiiadieniie  A  (.'iiit'oiitiini,  et 
de  vons  voir  rencoiitrer  tout  rencoiiragcnu'iit  aiuincl  vou.s  avez  droit  de 
vons  alli-ndrc.  .reiitre  avec  plaisir  dans  ci'tte  association,  (t  je  nie  plain  a 
conseiller  viveinent  a  ceiix  (pii  le  ])envent  <!e  fair,'  ci  ninii'  nioi,  cnnnais- 
saiit  toute  la  coiiliance  <pie  nous  jionxdiis  accdider  a  cette  .scciete  dont 
j'api)ronve  le  but  et  aussi  lesyst^ine  linancier. 

.\>^r/'cz,  clier   nionsienr,    ri'xi)ressi(jn   de   ma   haute  consideration    et 
et  croyez-inoi  votre  bieii  devout'', 

.1.   I).  (il'AV. 
Mairi  di'  ('liiroKliiiii  </  Jinhtdiiii-J'iiijiriitniirdtt 

' •  I'lUKUiES  1) I '  s. i(;i  7;a  . i  ) . " 

CnKoiTiMi,  lU  ocToia;i;  l,Sit7. 
L.  (i.  liobillanl,  Sec.  (ic'ii. 

tie  L'Uniou  Fi-ancn-Canadicnne. 

.\['>iixiiiir: — fest  avec  ])laisir  tpie  je  recoinmandc  "L'l'iiion  Fraiico- 
('anadieiine"  u  tons  nies  amis.  .le  tU'sire  en  I'aire  pai  tie  inoi-int^me,  et  je 
coinprends  tjne  cette  societe,  dont  voiis  t'tts  le  ."^^ecix'taire  <it>iu''iTd,  est 
a p pe  1  L'e  .\  I'aire  un  grand  bieii  dans  la  province  de  Quebec.  .I'invitv'  par- 
tionli.^'rement  tons  mes  amis  de  la  classe  agricoic,  ct  snrtout  cenx  de  la 
,^  classe  onvriC'iva  en  faire  i)artie,  car  c'est  speciuleinent  aeux  qu'elle  sera 


8 


le  plus  profitable.  V.ms  soul.altant  Ic  plu«  grand  su -.cs  possible  je  me 
souscris,  luonsieur,  votre  servitenr. 

AKMAXI)  TE8SIP:R, 
Redactenr  du  '•  PUOTELTEUR  DU  SAGUEXA  1'." 

CiikmixSaixtk-Fovi.;   i'kes  Qiebkc,  25  aoit  1897. 
A  M.  L.  G.  Robillard,  .Sec.  (JeiiOral  de 

L'Unicii  Franco-Caiiadieiuie. 
Bien  Cher  Momieur.—XyiiiM  pris  connaissaiice  du  but  de  votre  Societe 
q«i  est  de  grouper  et  d'unir  le.  Canadiens-fran.;ais  dans  une  organisation 
franchement  catholique  et  pleii.en.entsoiuuiseu  la  direction  de  I'J-Vlise 
je  me  fais  un  plaisirde  vous  dire  que  je  Tapprouve  de  tnuf  c.eur  et  quc- 
]e  term  tout  en  mon  pouvoir  pnur  en  fav..n,ser  le  developpJment. 
Votre  tout  devoue  serviteur, 

J.  r.  tardivp:l, 

Directeur-Pi-oprUiaire  de  ''LA  VERITE.'' 

CiiicoLTiMr,  ]8  oc-roBKK  1897. 
A  M.  L.  G.  Robillard,  Sec.  Gen. 

de  L' Union  Franco-t'anadienne. 

3/onc/terJ/o«8/e»/-.— Apres  avoir  prisconnaissance  du  svsteme  d'as- 
surance  de  votre  societe,  je  suis  heureux  de  constater  qu'elle  est  etablie 
mv  des  bases  solides,  parce  qu'elle  pnurvoit  a  former  un  certain  fonds  de 
reserve  tant  pour  la  caisse  des  maiades  que  pom-  la  caisse  des  deces 
et  que  le  .aux  des  contributions,  gradue  suivant  I'age  des  candidats' 
est  rationel,  juste  et  equitable.  En  vous  assi.rant  de  mon  appui,  mon- 
s-eur,  je  vous  pne  de  me  croire, 

Votre  tres  humble, 

J.  E.  A.  DUBUC, 
Gmuit  dc  lit  Banqae  Xatioaalc  d  Chlcoutimi. 


w 


Non 

Art.   1 
dc  i;UN 

Art.   S 

lUrondus 

Art.  3 

Ituelle  ;  el 

|vie,  (^t^tcr 

})()ui'suite 

Art.  4 

dans  les  1 

k    Art.    I 


■ 


Dans 
Sucre-Ccei 
dessiii  ;i[)[ 
Imitualite 


m-^^' 


jossible  je  me 


AGrEXAY."     ^ 

25  AoiT  ]8<J7. 


CONSTITUTION     ET    REGLEMENTS 


.  DK 


votre  Societe, 
eorgiinisation 
>n  (le  I'Eglise, 
;  c^vuv  ct  que 
'inent. 

'EL, 

1  VERITE." 

JcroBKK  1897. 


iN'steine  cl'as- 
le  est  etiiblie 
•tail)  funds  de 
e  des  tleces, 
"s  raiididats, 
appui,  mon- 


C, 

i  Chicoutimi. 


L'  Union    Franco-Canadienne 


CHAPITRE  I 

Nom  et  Constitution  de  I'Association,  son  sceau 

Art.  1 — Cette  associution  est  coniiiic  d  designee  sous  le  nom 
de  i; UNION   FRANCO-CANADIENNK 

Art.  2— Elle  est  forinee  en  vertu  des  articles  oUUGdes  Stututs 
Ilefondus  de  la  Province  de  Qiu'hec. 

Art.  3— Cette  association  a,  de  jtar  la  loi,  succession  perpe- 
tuelle  ;  elje  pent  passer  des  contrats,  poursuivre  et  etre  poursui- 
vie,  ester  et  citer  en  jugenient  dans  toutes  sortes  d'actions, 
poursuites,  i)laintes.  niatieres  et  causes  (pie  ce  soit. 

Art.  4— F.e  si^ge  des  affaires  di'  I'associatiou  est  et  restera 
dans  les  liniites  de  hi  cite  de  Montreal. 

^^^'  5— Ll'  sceau  de  cette  association  se  compose  d'uii 
dis(pie  portaiit  a  I'interieur  les  mots  : 

I  L'Ua'ION    FtiAXCO-CAXADlKNNE,    MoNTKEAL. 

p  Pour  X(n'UE  Foi  et  nos  Foyers." 

Dans  un  couronneinent  de  feuilles  d'erable  se  dessine  le 
facre-CcKur  de  Jesus  surmoute  de  la  Croix.  Dans  le  iiaut  du 
Hessin  apparait  un  castor,  et,  au  I»as,  la  poiguee  de  main  de  hi 
tnutualite. 


1 


10 


An.  6— LTiiion  Fniiifo-Caiiadiouu' scinct  sous  I'c'gide  du 
Sticre-Caair  dc  Jesus,  qifelk'  adoplc  pour  sou  patron. 


CJIAI'ITIJl-:  il 
But  de  I'Association 

Art.  7 — Cctte  association  a  pour  l)Ut  : 

1°  De  payer  des  secours  aux  lueujhrcs  lua.lades,  aux  veuves 
et  aux  vieillards  api)arteuant  a  la  section  des  lioiuines,  a  cerlai- 
nes  conditions  iniposeeti  ])ar  les  rcgleineuts  ; 

•2°  De  j.ayer  des  benefices  aux  epoux  et  a.ux  enfants  de.s 
nieiiibres  decedes  appartenant  a  la  section  des  feniines,  a  eertai- 
nes  coiKliti(Mis  ini])osees  par  les  regienieuts  • 

3°  Dedeveluppci-r education  morale  el  intejlectuelle  de  se.s 
men  lb  res. 

4°  Knlin.  de  travaillcr  A  la  propagation  de  la  langue  franyaise 
et  a  ];i  consolidation  de  iios  institutions  civiles  et  religieuses. 

Art.  8— i;  Union  Franco-Canadienne  se  compose  de  deux 
sections  tout  a  fait  distinctes  :  la  section  des  liommes  et  eelle 
des  fenimes. 

Art.  9— Les  membres  du  sexe  masculin  font  partie  de  la 
section  des  liommes  et  out  seuls  le  droit  d'assister  aux  assem- 
blees  des  succursalesetdesechoisii  des  ivpresentants  au'con- 
seil  General,  confornitMuent  aux  r:-lements  de  lassociation. 


I 


CIIAI'ITKK   III 
Section  des  Hommes 

Art.  10— Poarctreadmisau  nonihre  des  membres  partici- 
pants de  la  section  des  bonimes  de  ctte  association,  il  taut  : 

1°   Etre  ilge  de  IG  ans  an  nioinset  lic  pasavoir  atteint  o.",  ans  • 

2°  Professer  la  religion  <.,iboli.p,e  .4  n'appartenir  a  aucuiie 
soeiete  deiendue  par  Ti^glise  eatlioli(pu'  ; 

o°  Piirler  la  langue  fran^'ai.-e  ; 


4°  F 
jouir  d 

o°  ]{ 
maladii 
niuet,  ( 
dans  le 
subsist; 

()°   N 

7°  N 
des  six 

Les  li 
les  com 
qu(!  les 
d'un  a'i 
comite  ] 

i  ^''' 

liants  : 

res  ex  pi 

l)ompiei 

les  aigui 

service  u 

fondeur.- 

eryant,  1 

medecin 

0(;rti(icat 

comite  p 

indiscuti 

le  eandi( 

la  profes 

Un  nu 

exercer  i 

elation  ; 

aux  (Hind 

tion. 

Art.  1 

cal.  tel  (| 


11 


'■"^  rt'gide  (III 


oil. 


aiix    \-eii\-('s 
Hf^,  a  cfilai- 

cnfaiit.s  (Ic's 
)c\s,  ;i  ccrtai- 

•lelle   d(;  ses 

;uo  fi-aii(;aise 
ligic'Uscs. 

i^e  (k;  'Icux 
iL'H   c't  ccUe 

•art it'  (If  ]a 
iiix  a.'^seiu- 
ts  au  Coii- 
ciatioii. 


■cs  partici- 
ilfaut: 
iiit  '")■")  aii.s  ; 
a  aiicLinc 


-1°   Ktre  done  ,ruiilH,ncaractcHV,  avoir  une  bonne  oonluitc 
joiui  d'une  bonne  repntation  morale  et  praticpier  la  sol)riete  •    ' 

o°  Etre  sain  de  corps  ct  <l'esprit,  n'etre  pas  allecte  d'une 
lualadie  cbroaKjue,  incurable  on  hereditaire,  n'etre  ni  sourd  ni 
im.et,  enfin,  n'etre  atteint  d'aucune  inlinnit^  dc  nature  a  -Cner 
dans  le  choix  des  nioyens  Ti  prendre  pour  pourvoir  a  sa  pwnre 
subsistance  ; 

(5°   Ne  pas  exercer  une  profession  prohibeepar  ](;s  reKlenjent-- 

^°  Ne  pas  s'etre  fait  refuser  i'entreedel'association  au  cours 
des  SIX  mois  i)recedant  la  presente  deniande  d'adniission 

r.cs  hoteliers  ou  debitants  de  liqueurs  enivrantes  au  verre  ct 
b's  connnis  de  leurs  etablissenients  servant  au  comptoir  ainsi 
qu.ncs  personnes  privees  de  I'usage  d'un  ])ied,  d'un  bras  ou 
d'uiMcd,  nesontadniissibles  que  sur  i)ennission  speciale  du 
connte  pour  I'adinission  et  la  reintegration  des  mcnibres. 

Art.  11— Nesont  pasadniissiblcs  coninie  menibres  partici- 
pants :    Ics  aeronautes,  les  employes  Ti  la  fabrication  des  matie- 
res  exi.losives  et   dangereus.s,    les  artiHciers,    les  mineurs    les 
pompiers  dans  les  cntes,  les  vidangeurs,  les  souffleurs  ,ie   verre 
Icsaiguiseursd'oiitil.,  d'arnics,  dc  coutellerie,  les  militaires  en 
service  actif,  les  marins  faisant  des   voyages  au  long  -ours    les 
fondeurs,   mouleurs  et  polisseurs  en  cuivre,  et  Ics  candidate  ex- 
cr(;ant,  lors  dc  Icur  dcmande d'adniission,  une  profession  que'lc 
mcdcciii  en  chef  jugera   trop  dangdv-use.   Cei,endant,   tou8  les 
oertiticat^  d  exainens,  approuves  par  Ic  nu'dccin  en   chef  et  le 
comitcpour  radmission  et  la  reintegration   des  membres,   sont 
ludiscutablcs,  en  ce  .pii  e.)nc(.nie  la  pr-.tc-sion  de  I'aspirant     .i 
I''  randidata  fait  mention,  lors  dc  sa  dcmande  d'adniission'  de 
la  profession  soi-disant  dangercuse  (ju'il  exer^ait.  ' 

Uii  membrc  participant,  (pii  aband.miie    sa    profession   pour 
cxerc(;r  une  i)rofession  prohihce,  est,  de  droit,  exclus  de  I'asso- 
ciation  ;  mais  il  pent  obtenir  un  certificat  acquitte,  s'ily  a  lieu 
aux  conditions  deterinineey  jKirles  reglenients  de  cette"associa- 
tion. 

Art.  12-Tout  aspirant  est  tcnudesubir  un  examen  medi- 
cal, tel  (pie  rc(jiiis  par  le  Bureau  de  Direction. 


f 


1-2 


Art.   13— Tout  niedccin  lioenciLot   iiKMnbre  do  rnssociution 
pent,  avec  I'approhation  du  Bureau  dc  Directiuu   ou  du   Presi- 
dent Genera],  devenir  niedeein  exaniinateurdecette association 
Le  Bureau  de  Direction  et  le  Pi-esident   General   peuvent  noni- 
mer  des  niedecins  non  societaires. 

Art.  14— Pour  I'exanien  medical  de  chaque  candidat  ((u'lls 
out  examine  avec  l'autorisati(,n  du  Secretaire  General  ou  d'un 
agent  autorise,  les  medecins-exaniinateurs  locaux  out  droit 
a  la  sonnne_de  Sl.OO,  dans  le  cas  de  chaque  aspirant  a  un 
certificatde$oOO:  de  ^1.50,  pour  un  certificat  de  $]  000-  $">  00 
pour  S2,000  ou  S3.00  pour  $8,000.  Les  candidats  scmt  seuls 
responsables  de  cette  sonnne  envers  les  niedecins-exandnateurs 
locaux. 

Art.  15— Les  'uedecins-examinateurs  locaux  doivent  en- 
voyer  leurs  rai)ports  directenient  au  Secretaire  General  de 
r  association. 

Art.  16-Les  droits  d'eiitree  sont  de  cinq  piastres.  Cette 
sonnne  doit  etrcdeposeeentre  les  mains  du  proposeur,  lors  de 
la  signature  de  la  carte  demandant  I'admission.  Les  candidats 
doivent  de  plus,  payer  direct^Muentaux  niedecins-exaniinateurs 
locaux  le  i)rix  de  leur  examen  medical. 


■ 


CHAPITKE  1\' 

Admission  des  Membres 

Art.  17-Toute  personn.ie  remplissant  les  conditions  re(,ui- 
ses  par  les  reglements  de  I'association  pent  faire  une  denmnde 
d  adnnssion  dans  I'association  en  deposant,  entre  les  mains  du 
Secretan-e  General  ou  d'u.i  agent  autorise,  les  sonnnes  cd-dessus 
mentionnees  pourcouvrirlest-aisdela  revision  de  Texanien 
n^edical,  les  droits  d'entree  etc.,  ap.vs  avoir  prealahlement  signe 
unede.m,n,led'adnnssiond'a,Mvs  les  fonuules  exigees  i>aMe 
Bureau  de  Direction.  L'agent  designe  alors  a  I'aspirant  le  me- 
decindevant  qui  il  doit  subir  rexamen  nu'dical.  ' 


Art. 

des  me 
candid 

Art. 

sans  dt 
est  teiu 
(Iroits  t 
Pei'vant 
sion  de 
pa  ye  p 
plus,  rt 

Art. 

vise  en  < 
ou  Cais! 


Art. 

iii(/n  Fri 

de  sa  2)o' 

fcients  re; 

la    Caiss 

niemhre 

Tout  1 

inemhre 

cretaireC 

toutcs  les 

nadiennc 

il  etre  nv 

Art.  S 

Canadien 
•dix-huit, 
sion  dans 
de   cinqi] 


i; 


1  iissocuition 
on  du  Presi- 
0  association. 
311  vent  nom- 

ididat  ([irils 
5ral  oil  d'liii 
X  ont  droit 
:)irant  tl  im 
1,000;  $2.00, 
Xa  sont  sen  Is 
saininateurs 

loivent    on- 
Geiienil    de 

.stres.  Cette 
?ur,  lors  de 
s  candidats 
:aniiiiat('Ui-s 


ions  re(iui- 
e  deinande 
>  mains  dii 
s  ei-dessus 
!  Tcxainen 
ment  simile 
:ees  par  lo 
uit   le  me- 


Art.  18-Le  coniite  pour  I'adnn'ssion  et  la  ivintf'gration 
(lesinend)resal.>;)ouvoir  absolu  d..  refuser  ou  d'aceepter  k-s 
.candidats. 

Art  19-Aucasderejet,  le  Secretaire  General  doit  avertir 
Bans  delai  le  candidat  nialheureux,  et  leprojjoseur  dece  dernier 
est  tenu  de  renil.ourser  au  dit  candidat  ce  (ju'il  a  paye  comme 
clroits  d  ent've,  nioins  la  somnie  de  cinqiiante  centins,  laquelle 
servant  a  payer  les  del>ourses  occasionnes  i)our  les  frais  de  ivvi 
sion  de  I'exanien  etc.,  n'est  jamais  remlx.ursal.le.  Le  montant 
pave  par  le  candidat  au  na-decin-examinateur  local,  n'c-t  non 
plus,  remhoursable  en  aucun  cas.  ' 

Art.  20— La  section  des  homines  de  cette  association  se  di- 
vise  en  deux  dei)artements  bien  distincts  :  Le  Fonds  de  Secours 
ou  Caisse  des  Malades  et  la  Caisse  de  J^otation. 


CHAPITUE  V 
Fonds  de  Secours 

Art.  21— Tout  membre  de  la  section  des  homines  de  L'U- 
iiuyn  Franco-Canadienne  i)eut  augmenter  ou  diminuer  le  chiffre 
desa  police,  et  ce,  conforiiiement  aux  articles  44  et  45  de«  j)re' 
^ents  reglements  ;  mais  il  ne  pent  al)and,mner  completement 
hi  Ca.sse  de  Dotation  sans  perdre  tons  ses  droits  comme 
niembre  de  I'association. 

Tout  membre  pent,  cependant,  donner  sa  demission  comme 
membre  agrege  a  la  Caisse  des  Malades,  en  transmettant  a,u  Se- 
cretaire General  un  avis  i)ar  ecrit  de  son  intention  et  en  pavant 
toutcs  les  contributions  (pfil  pent  devoir  A  L' Union  FrancJ-Ca- 
naciienne,y  c(mipris  celles  pour  le  mois  durant  leqiiel  il  demande 
a  etre  raye  de  la  Caisse  des  Malades  de  I'  association. 

Art.  22 -Tons  les  membres  admis  dans  L' Union  Franco- 
t:inad,cnneapresle(iuinzefevnermil  huit  cent  quatre-vin.rt- 
■d>x-huit,  ages  de  moins  de  trente-cin.j  ans,  lors  de  leur  adnils- 
Sion  dans  I'association,  doivent  payer  une  contribution  mensuelle 
|e   cmquante   centins  ;    les   membres  ages   de    trente-cinq     a 


u 


quarantc  an.,    ci.„,uaMte-cin4    centins  ;  les    nien.brc-s   A^c^s    de 

ages  (le  quarante-oinq  a  cmquante  an.,  soixante-dix  centu).    et 
les  mcMnbre.s  ages  de  cinquante   a  cin,uante-c:in,,   ans        ..a, 
vingt-cniq  centin..    Ces  contributions  coi vent  etre  m v'. 
ava.it  le  premier  jour  de  rhaque  n.oi..  ^    *' '''  ^'  '"' 

Art.  23— TouH  le.s  nionibrcs  adnii^   J-ins   r,.u,  •     • 

avant  le  pnenn..  an-il  .,  ic  ,„v,„i..  „ct.,l  Jd.  cha,,„e  ,;;;•':: 

Art.  24-l.c.s  co,Urib,„i,„,s  ,1,.  |„uto  nature  ,h„...  -l  ]■,..„ 
ciatH,,,  s.,„t    payee,  an    ,!,„,,,„  ,i„    .See.etaire  Ge,„,,,     i^Z 
bureau  .le.  pereepteurs  ,lu,„eu.  nenuufe  par  ,,ui  ,,,      „    ' 

U  Seereta.re  General  ,l„it,  ,lans  t„„s  les  eas    releni 
W   "tiou.  de  t„ute   esp^.e  „„at  V  ..ie^ -^  i,  '^^^^  Zr 

.■rfevai,le,  ,,uel  ,p,e  .,i,  le  neeuaut  ,le«  beneHee.s  payis    u    1 

malade,  et.  autaut  ,ue  p:.sil,le.  au  ,ue„t  „u  «„  t  ,h    J  1    ' 

tue  le  preuuer  ver.sen.en,  ,le  .es  l,e„eH,:e.«.  (V ,.|,„t     ,1        ,' 

dmt  euM.ite  payer  lui-M,e,„e  les  e.M.tributi,  ,  i       t  '  '  ' 

Jevie„„eutdue.,a  Fa».oeia,i„„  ;  i|  n,;, '''"''"'''' 

JMUer,epre.entanieleeou.ue\u,e.,,,lU;i;;r      ':;:,;;:: 
de  reten.r  «.  eentnl.ut s  dun.nt  le  ten.ps  ,le  L  n,aladie 

Art    25-T„ut  nien.bre  inserita,,  If.indx  de  See„ur.  en  rVIe 

pati^n  p^uvant  ini  .ppo;ri::^;:  :,^\:;r;;;;;i-i:7-"- 

»e  devant  pa,  e.xcederdeu.e  .en.aines   ,a      „n  ,    '  '" 

.nen,ant  a  co.npter  de  la  dale  de  la  n,a'l,,d  u  v       "e  M'le 

:t-^::=':ti;:^':;;:t'r;::::;;:-:tr''- 

selou  io  cxs,  de  beu.liees  re,,,  e.  la  da.j  de  ll"  .l^u'eU:''  •  ^ 


niatio: 

Qw.i 

a  colli 

lade.s, 

<|Uatri( 

<.;eiK'ie, 

L'iu 

Ji!)r.s 

Fans  ni 

('onnin' 

le  mem 

tion  ou 

l>ro(luir 

ces,  ton 

niala<lie 

niere  pr 

tre  Ford 

cettc  or( 

<l(X'in  ('x 

]M)se,  sai 

fcjon;  ,si, 

micile  p: 

avoir  obi 

6a  lueab't 

ralilit^'c  p; 

lie.  a  van 

traitia'  j  a 

ineme  cet 

rait  I'orau 

Cale. 

iie    coi 

paienient 

ttJ  a  ladies 

par  le  nie 

dienne.  })( 


lo 


il'i'cs  A(fes  do 
los  nicmhrcs 

lix  oeiitins,  et 
JiiLs,   (jimtrc- 

■  payees  Iv  on 


(e  Mssodiiition- 
seize  doiveit 
ceiitiiis,  Je  oil 
(jue  juiiiec. 

lues  A  I'iisso- 
iieni]    on    ail 
Ic  droit, 
eiiir  Te.s  eoii- 
ile  pout    etrci 
piiyes  Jill  (lit 
tfouveeffec- 
"t<  leinnlade 
lite  s()rte(]iii 
^  jiiinai.s  hi- 
ll' Ja  soeiete 
uiladie. 

'Urs.eii  ivgl,; 
•iiiq  piastres 
i'i<'-'^,  qui  He 
^utlv  temps 
iU'.mw  oeeii- 
ic  de  temps 
nniee   com- 
11    que  telle 
•'«  <l'aueuii 
Ja   ])ar't  du 
eiit  eeoules 
"'3  ou   SoG, 
'tdlo    recia- 


la;.es.ii.._ 

1^^^;  n.alades  doivent  aussi  se  faire  tmiter  par  nn  medecin    li 
-.H;.e.  s,,  raisonuablement,  Ju  ehose  est  possil,]e  " 

L  mden.nite  n'est  pas  accordoe  non  plus  : 
l^!»rs(|iie  la  maladie  a  uour  cause  no  '^,.t..   f,    -     - 

-".-H^   0.S  J.UX  et  ,,xe,x.ice»  violent,  ou  .lun«o,v  "  .     ■  .' ,.       ' 
V<- lire,  i-a  leuii,,  el  lieu    ■,  1.  ^,,J    ,  "'''''*'"*  ''>•■ 

,  ..'"'''"•'■'<•''<>''  llu  (Win  tcMlps  lin.,„ 

-.  .ou«  les  e<.,frieat,  e.ige.  par  le  .lit  eou.ite;  si  ■       '  ^ 

cette  o,.,lonuan,-e;  «i,  san.s  avoir  eonsnite  sou  n.etleeiu  o 
.■■'«.,  exaurinateur  loeal,  ou  eontrairen.ent  ,"::'"-- 

!«.*,  sans  nOeessite  a  uue  reehute  ou  a  ,„,  relan  ,1  ,n''s  •'•" 
■^on;  si.  tlurant  la  n.aladie  ou  la  ..ouv.,!,  ■  "''■""  «a«"^'"- 
.uioilo  pour  aller  se  pron,..:;  C  it^^:  ^^  'i;^;:::?  -'  '■"- 
avoir  obteiiu  la  oermissi,,,,  ,1,,  „,  •  i     •  ^'^'aiio-ere.    ,sans 

-ioea,it,ia,,u:iie;™;;;:s  /X™'';^;:'';;;;;"';'-"'""'^''''^ 

r.Ui(iee„arle  eourit^.  des  Uuanees  de  ;  IVf  n  wf  "%''" 
;-■.  --'I  '."-  le  u.enrbre  ,uusse  , putter  si!  r':';,':'';'!; 
traUer  |  ar  toatL^  autre  p.a-souu  ■  o  I'uo  ,„'  1  ""'"'''.'=,  ''  -^-^fait 
.-u.e  eette  persoune  siruite    tj     1        S'  'n'i-  """"' 

i^e    eomite     des    fiuauees  se   reserve    le  .In.If     1 

P..i.uent  „es    .,,ilees   eu    laai^  aut  tl      1  ^^  1 " 

ttJahulies    lie    peuveiit    etre   r,..i  f.,f'        i'  ^ 

i^.He  u.deei,;.ex.nin::':rXr  ;r;:i:;r" :;:erf'" 

d..n.  pour  la  loeali...  or,  reside..  ee»  nudad:jVn;;;::.r:';i: 

I 


le 


chionique  la  dyspeiKsi,-,  ]a  convulehceiicc  etc. 

Ce  qui  precede  n'affeete  nulle.nent  Ics  droit,  des  menihrcs 
aaniKs  dan.  1  as.^ociati.)ii  avant  le  13  fevrier  1SU8  en  ce  (,ui 
concenie  le  montant  de.  benetir-s  en  nu.ladie  et  le  n()nii,re  de 
semanies  pendant  lesquelle.s  ces  benefices  etaient  pavables 

Lorsque  la  reserve  accuumiee  dan.  le  F.,nds  de  Seours  „u 
taisse  des  Malades  dc^pnssera  825.000,  tont  nienibre  .nalado 
pendant  plus  de  12  se.naine.  par  annee  aura  droit  au  n.ontant 
de  83.00  par  .enianie  pendant  douze  autre,  sen.aines  j,ar  annee 
et  ce,  tant  que  la  reserve  de  la  Caisse  des  Malades  ne  sera  „as 
moindre  que  825. 000.  ^ 

Art.  26-Pour  avoir  droit  aux  benelloes  de  n^aladie,  il  faut 
aver  irle  Secretaire  General,  conforn.uneT.t  aux  presents  nVle- 
ments  et  fournir  tons  les  certiticats  exiges  par  le  connte  des  fi- 
nances. Les  certificats  doivent  etre  renouveles  au  moins  tons  les 
quinze  jours,  sous  peine  de  decheance  des  droits  du  menibre  a 

excedant  des  benefices.   En  ce  qui  concerne  les    n.embre     du 
elerge  n  exergant  plus  lenr  n.ini.tere  pour  cause  de  sante   le  co- 
rmte  des  finances  doit  s'entendre  avec  I'autorite    ecclesiaitique 
s  11  en  est  requis  par  le  societaire  ou  ses  a  vants  droit 

Aucun  societai^re  n'e.t  repute   nialade/ aux   ternies  des  sta- 
uts,  ciue  depu.s  le  jour  oCl  il  a  deposeau  bureau  de  poste  de  son 

ofhciel  de  sa  malad.e,  et  q.-.'il  u  rc-connnande  (  fait  enre<.istrer  ) 
cettelettre.  Le  eertificat  de  r.nregistrenient,\l.b-gato  ;     d  il 
6tre  soigneusement  recueilli  p.r  k!  societaire  malade  et   ,  u 
exp^die  au  Secretaire  General  en  inen>e  tenq.  q.u^  ]  . 

Mions  du  mededn  et  du  cure.  Ce  eertificat  faiMega^n        t  i 

d^it    t  :t  :  f  ^'"'^"^  ''  '''^'''''  ^'  '''  ^•eguli^ren.;:  .t 
Z\        fi  '  '^"'  '''^''  ^'*^"'«  ^'^•'^"^••^  ^M'i-^'H  cette  date  que 

les  benefices  de    nniladie  ..onnnencent  a  courir.  s'il    v   a   li! 
Quand  un  men.bre  aura  avert!  le  Secretaire   General  L      m' 
^.registrer.ilettre,iIne.erar,.putenKda.I...a.xt™^^^^^^ 
^atu^,_qira  .onq,ter  du  jour  ou  la  dite  l.ttre  ^.ra  parven  u^     u 

Secretaire  General.  Mais,  dans  ..  .as.  1.  ..n.  aeeorJ^  d^ux;" 


Art. 


'^  rlumiiitisiiu! 

<les  uienibrc's 
'^,  un  ce  (|iii 
le  nombre  de 
myables. 
-'  .Sec'ours  ou 
iibre  nmliido 
t  uu  inonlaiit 
ic's  i)aramu'(', 
ri  lie  sera  pa.s 

liidie,  il  faut 
esents  ivgle- 
niite  des  fi- 
loins  tou9  les 
-1  membre  a, 
neinbi-es  du 
sante,  le  co- 
:clesia.«ti(}iie, 
t. 

IK'S  des  sta- 
l)()ste  de  son 
oftaiit  I'avis 
enreo-iHtrei-  ) 
fatoire,  doit 
'  et  ])ar  lui 

les  attesta- 
alenieiit  foi 
reuient  pio- 
tc  date  que 
1  y  a  lieu, 
sans  faii'(; 
tennes  dv^ 
u'venue  au 

(h'U\  jouvs 


17 

^••"'".H- UMnps  neeessairoau  transport  d,-  la  lett.v.  I.,  soeietairo 
•nahu  e  doit  aussi,  en  n.enie  ten.ps  .p.'il  donne  avis  de  la  .nala- 
'110  a  a  soeiete,  avertir  le  medeein  offieiel  de  L' Union  Franco- 
tana.h.'nne  pour  la  loealite  dans  la.juelle  il  reside. 

^\^:  27-N'ul  membre  n'a  droit  aux  bc'-.t-Hees  au  decc-s  et 
aux  benehees  en  maladie,  avant  trois  mois  a  compter  de  la  date 
de  son  admission. 

Art.  28-T.nU  nu.mbre  ,,ui  n'a  pas  pave  sa  contribution  ui.n- 
suelle  et  sa  retribution  semi-annuelle,  er  un  mot,  i,>s  contribu- 
tions de  toute  nature  imposees  en  vertu  des  n^lements  de  I'asso- 
nat.on  ,lans  h-sdenx  mois  apres  leur  echean<.e,  est,  sans  avis 
P'-oalable.  niye  de  la  liste  des  membres.  Neanmoins,  le  eonnte 
P'>:^^-  1  a  Inuss.on  et  la  reintegration  des  meml)res  peut,lorsnu'il 
lo  ju;^  utile  et  dans  I'interet  de  Tassoc-iation.  r-'inte^rer  aux 
;-'^-l't.ons  <]u  d  jugera  conformes  aux  interns  de  lasJcHdation 
les  n.eml>res  rayes  en  (pielque  t.-mps  et  pour  ,,uelque  cause  que 
ce  soit,  exc^epte  pour  le  eas  d'expulsion.  ^ 

Art    29-Lors.iu'un  membre  admis  au    Fonds  de  Secours 

.want   le  15  f.^vrier   1898.   en   r^gle  avec   I'association,    vieiU  a 

'"ourir,   sa  veuve,  s'il  etait  marie,  a  droit  a  une  sommedecin- 

<iuant..  piastres,  hupielle  lui    est  payee   dans   les    trente  jours 

apres  la  produetion  des  pieces  justificatives. 

S'il  n  etait  pas  marie,  le  Bureau  de  Direction  a  discretion  ab- 
«..ltu'  de  determiner  a  (jui  eette  so.nme  doit  etre  payee,  a  moins 
•luH.nu.nbredeceden'en  ait  <lispose  par  testament.  Quant 
aux  membres  agreges  ix  cette  Caisse  apres  le  lo  Fevrier  1898  ils 
"  out  nucun  droit  aux  benelices  ci-dessus  mentionne..  '     ' 


CHAPITRE  VI 
Caisse  de  Dotation 

Art.  30-i;rnion    Franeo-Canadienne  offre  a  ses  associes 
les  l.cnetiees  d  une  Caisse  de  Dotation. 


1>< 

^  ^  J^icguueiU  a  1  uiic  et  a  1' autre  Caisses  • 

^'i»,  utpa!s.-«ei  la  .sonnne  de  $;j,000. 
Art.  32— Les  nieiubres  annai-teii'inf  ."i  l..    n  •        i     . 

pectif  et  rage  au.uci  ;!',™:r;j;:::;,':: "  '*""■  ^^""^^^^  '■'- 

quinze  fevrier. nil  huit  cent, nut  vvn        .^  :"^  "'^^^'?'^   '^^'^^^   ''^ 
montant  ,a'ils  devaieat  pay  d    ^  r^T  ■"' -""T'   ''"'    '^ 

elation.  '    ^  ^'  '""  admission  dan.s  Taaso. 

Dans  certains  cas  narticnlir-iv    i-, 
finance,,,  a  !e  P  .uvoird'adn,.  „v  ,h      r     ■  ,    T-       ,'■""""■   ''"« 

deux  c«,„ites  ..urn;  ;,t:  :vL"r..rM  r'"'''""  •""■  •■'■" 

1  association.  '^^'-^    mtcivts   du 


=5 

1 
Tablea 


I 


l( 

i; 

M 
•J(l 
2 1 

^fi 
l-M 
•Jo 

L'(i 
•27 

2.S 


.14 


Art. 
1,1"  I'liio 
])ay('i'.  ( 
Ic  Fond 

Art. 

S(,'ini-;ni 
avril  ct 
a,u:r('u'i''s 
huit  cci 
niontau 

Art. 

Dotatioi 
$•■!,()<»(). 
scnts  ivjj 
dcctMU'  I 

Art.  ; 

an    Icr  1 


J:}i 


10 


'  <lii  nuivau  (\v 
|)iis  ()l)lin;;it()ir(' 
It'  temps); 

I  Fi-auco-Caiia- 
">   tV-vricr  1,S!),S, 

<-'!,  ("11  plus,  la 
itcroiitrecspe- 
uisscsen  meiiie 
K  piirtic  (J lie  de 

tlvoit  cl' entree 

lo  moiitaiitdii 

tieuts  pen  vent 

i»L'    pc'uvent, 

e  de  Dotatioif 

"i^iii;.s    lixees 
;ei-tilicat    res- 


Tableau  des  Contributions  mensuelles  pour  la  Caisse  de  Dotation 


Section  des  homtnes. 


ion  avaiU  le 
lient  (juc  Ic 
1  dans  ruaso- 

Klniission   vt 

t-'oniite    des 

ies  niend)i-es 

)IIS     (juc     CCS 

iiiteivts    de 


AiiHj  $o(t()  'ijiKMH)  mm  mm 


*■    i 


l(i 

;irn 

17 

;5o 

18 

;{o 

lit 

;{.•) 

I'll 

;{o 

21 

Ho 

'22 

;i5 

•>'] 

;!<i 

1'4 

;i(i 

•>\ 

t>" 

_') 

■  u 

•J(i 

;!s 

•>■" 

, ,. . 

~i 

.);* 

28, 

40 

2i) 

41 

;i(>  |. 

42^ 

•51   I 

4;j  i 

;52 

44  1 

•>•>  1 
.).)  1 

45  ! 

.'54  i 

47  I 

:{5  : 

48 : 

-ViiH  .i<:)()()  $1000  5:..(H)o  s;;(mm) 


::  ixi 

;!  I,-) 

;!  24 

;!  :!<) 

.!  .-)4 
:i  78 
;!  iio 

4  20 
4  50 


!4 

80 

10 

'i 

(K) 

(iO 

20 

- 

80 

40 

00 

(iO 

10 

50 

Art.  33- Tousles  candidats  proposes  <..,uuu..  niembrew  de 
J-  I  nion  Franco-Canadienne.  apnV  le  ^r,  niai  ISUS,  d„ivent 
payer.  .Ic  plus,  la  soniine  i\v  vin-t-ein,,  ....ntius  par  n.ois.  pour 
le  bonds  (ieneral. 

Art.  34— Tons  les  nieml.res  pai.-nt.  en  outre,  nne  retribution 
Senn-aiHuielledeein.pianteeeutins.  exig-il)le  Ic  ,,u  avant  1(.  !,.,• 
avnl  ct  le  l.-roctol.redeeha,pieaiHUM-  ;  e.-pcndant.  les  n.endnv^ 
«,unv,u-esa  1  une  ou  a  Tautre  Caisse,  avant  le  ,|uinz,>  fevrier  mil 
huit  <-..nt  .piatre-vin-t-dix-liuit.  ne  paient.  de  ,•,.  chef  .pie  le 
n.ontant  .pi' iU  devaient  payer,   lors  <lc  l,.ur  inscription. 

Art.  35— A  la  niort  (Tun  mend. re  p..rteui  d'un  certili,,,!  dc 
Dotation,  scs  henetieiuires  .,nt  droit  a  S50().    -Sl.OOO,    $•>  ()()()  ,,u 
$;M)0().  scion  le  chift'n-  dc  tel  eertifieat.  eonformenient  aux  pre- 
sents iv^lcnu-nts.  ,ledu<-ti(.n  faite  de  t.n.te  sonnn.  .p.c  le  mcn.hrc 
|eeede  pent  devoir  a  Tassoeiation. 

Art.  36— Les  henetieiaires  des  memhres.pii  dr.vdcront  (Pici 
an    ler  tVvrier  mil   neuf  cent  cin.,,    auront     droit    de    nvevoir 


I 


20 


im  (|Uiirt  ilii  iiioiitaiil  ilii  (•(■i'tilir;,t  i\v  i|iit;itii»njl!iiis  Ics  tmis  moi.-; 
(lui  si!i\i(mt  lit  proiliiclidii  df.'  pir^'s  jiistilicativrs.  iiii  autre 
(|Uiirt  <liiiH  Irs  trois  iiiois  suivants.  I't  aiiisi  dr  suite,  jusqu'a  par- 
t'ait  paieiiimt.  sans  pn'judiee  aux  ilroits  aeipiis  par  les  nienilires 
adiiiis  dans  Tassociation  avant  Ic  pniiiii'i'  t'evrier  mil  liuit  cent 
(|natre-\  ini:t-ili\-in'ut. 

Art.  37  -  \'*'^  lit'iii'lii'iaii'es  d'>  nirmlires  (pii  (h'ceder.tut  apres 
le  pr(  iiiici'  tV'vriei'  mil  urul'  (cnl  ein<|.  auront  di'oit  de  reei-^'oir 
et  reeevrout  le  montaut  mtirr  du  ci-rtilieat.  dans  les  ti'ente  jours 
(pii  suivn>nt  la  produetiun  des  pieces  juslilieatives.  sans  pivju- 
diee.  non  |»lu^,  aux  droits  ae.|uis  |)ar  les  meinl)r('s  admis  avant 
le  ler  t't'vriiM'  mit  liuit  <'ent  i|uatre-vin,iit-dix-neut'. 

Art.  38  — Qiiand  mi  mcnil»re,  appartenant  a  la  section  des 
hoinmes,  a  atteint  Tii-ie  de  70  aus,  11  est  lil)Lre  de  Toltli'  ition 
des  (;ontril»utions  a  la  Caisse  des  Malades  ;  d'auti'e  part,  il  n(^ 
conserve  aucuu  (U'oit  a  reclamer  des  Ix'nelices  de  cette  Caisse. 

Mais  tout  societaire  aire  de  soixante-dix  (70)  ans  continue 
de  payer  toutes  ses  autres  eontiihution.-.  rcLjulieres  sauf  les  con- 
tributions a  la  Caisse  de-  malade.-.  et  il  a  Toplion,  ou  descfaire 
payer  les  h'netices  gar.uitis  dai\-  sun  eintilicit  de  Dotation,  par 
dixienies,  un  ehaxjUe  annee,  a  i>arlii'  de  ses  soixante-dix  ans 
acconiplis,  moyemiant  (pril  aut  irise  Tassociation  a  rt'tenir, 
annuellement,  sur  ces  versements,  une  sounne  e^ale  a  Tinteret 
a  5%,  d'avance,  sur  les  montants  ainsi  recouvres  pai-  lui,  ou 
bien  de  laisser  le  luontant  inteiii-al  de  son  cei'tilieat  de  Dotation 
a  etre  pave,  apres  sa  mort,  a  s<'s  hei-Jtiers  ou  ayants-di'oit.  Cela, 
sans  prejudice  aux  droits  dv^  societaires  de  Fi'Tnion  Kraiico-Cii- 
nadienne  portanl  des  eertitieats  anterieurs  au  quiiize  l\vriei-  uiil 
huit  cent  (luatre-vin^t-dix-luiit. 

Art.  39-->^i  un  memhre.  (pii  a  dix  anm'es  de  soeif'-tariat.  de- 
sire se  retirer  de  rassoeiatioii.  il  lui  est  remis  mi  certidcat 
ac(iuitte  eu'al  a  la  moitie  du  mniitant  i\{'<  contributions  (|u'il  a, 
vorsees  a  la  Caisse  de  Dotation.  S'il  sc  [•r\\vv  aprcs  vinu'tans  dv 
societariat.  il  a  droit  a  un  certilicat  acpiiiti'  pi»ur  tons  les  nion- 
tants  (pril  a  paves  a  c(  tie  caisse. 


Art.  ^ 

dotation 
I  '•  absoju 
sui'plus  I 
att"int  r 
les  reiilei 
Tarticle  ; 

Art.  ^ 

Fran(U)-l 

St'  'UtiveS 
susdit.  c 
spicial  i| 
direction 
.xamcn 
caract.'-rc 
soil  rapji 
crete  all 
niois  sui 
de  dotal 
s  );•':  't  iir( 
selon  le 
Cauadiei 

L"   SO!' 

le  IVarea 
l.i  C  usse 
biMielice- 
<li)tation 
ni  -litant 
chaiiue  i 
annuel  ;i 
IM  'lit  de 
consciiti' 
re-lant  a 
iHoilie  <1 
tioii.  po 
suivra  s; 


1 


2! 


>  trois  iiini.-i 
.  nil  iiuti-c 
list  hi' a  par- 
's iiicmln'cs 
1  l)uit  cent 


<'iMnt  apri's 
Ic  I'cci-^'oir 
I'cntc  jours 
'alls  pn'ju- 
liiiis  avaiit 

■<o('ti()ii  (Ics 
"nlili'   itioii 
|)art,    il  lU! 
(■  Caissc. 
s   coiitiniu' 

lUf    It'S   COIl- 

I  (lest"  fain,' 
tatioii,  par 
itc-(li.\   alls 

a  relcnir, 
a  I'inten't 
tar  lui,  oil 
k'  JJotation 
Iroit.  Ct'lu, 
Franco-Ca- 
I'tvru'i    hi.l 

i(''tariat.  i\v- 

II  ccrlilicat 
Mis  (pril  a. 
iiijit  a  lis  (Ic 
IS  Ics  iiion- 


Art.  40— l/a'sociatioii  p  lie  la  luoiiit'  i\i-  smi  ct-rtitiiat  df 
flotation  a  tiMit  iiicmiiif  iiivaliilc.  c'cst-ii-tliri'  I'rappi'  (rin('apa(!i- 
I '•  alisojiif  di'  travail,  iiiitapacltt''  <rnii  cai'arr'rc  pfriuaiiciit,  Ic 
surplus  I'taiil  payahlc  an  (leers  .hi  socictairc  ou  lorsfpTil  aura 
alt"iiit  i'Aj^i'  'Ic  soixante-dix  aus  dans  la  inaiiicrc  pruscritc  par 
Ics  rciilt'iiiciits  dc  cctU'  assoriatinii.  ct  sujct  aiix  previsions  dc 
Tarticli'  suivaiit. 

Art.  41 — Tout  111  'lulu'*'  dc  l.i  s  'ction  dcs  liom lucs  dc  1/  I'n ion 
Fraiico-Caiiadiciuic  ipii  a  v{r  inaladc  jjcndaiit  tlcux  aniit'cs  con- 
st''ulivcs.  ct  frapp.'  d"  iiicapacitc  altsojtu'  d"  travaillcr.  coiniuc 
susdit.  c<t  (It'clari-  iiivalidc.  s'il  Ic  di'^s ire.  a  la  suite  d' un  cxanicii 
spicial  tpril  sultit  dc\aiit  It.  iiit'ilccin  clioisi  p.ir  Ic  liurcau  dc 
dircctiitii.  Lc  iiH'dcciii-ciKpi.'tcur.  s'il  iic  lui  rc-tc,  aprcs  cct 
.xaiiicii  spt'cial.  aiiciin  doutcsui'  rinvaliditt'  dii  socictairc  ct  Ic 
(M;Mct"'r.'  pciMiauciit  tie  sou  iii:'ap;icitr'  alisohic  ilc  tr.i vaillcr.  fait 
soil  iMpjiiirt  cii  (•  )iis.'(piciicc  ail  Uiircau  tl- direction.  Cclui-ci  .(('■- 
(•ri'tc  alors  rinvaliiliti'  dii  s(»cictairi'.  i[ui  rc(;oit.  dans  Ics  trois 
iiiois  siiivant  cctledt'cisiou.  la  uioiti/  dii  luoiitaiit  dc  son  ccrtilicat 
dc  dotation.  La  balance  ilc  cc  ccrlilicat  est  payablt;  au  dcccs  du 
s  »;■! 't  lire  o;i  loi's  [I'il  aura  a't 'iuL  I'a^'  ilc  soixante-dix  aus. 
s;'liMi  Ic  mode  dcLcrinine  par  Ic.s  rc^lcMuaits de  L'L'nion  Franco- 
Cauadicli'ie. 

I/'  sorit'tairc  iuvalidc,  ct  oHicicUcniciit  r"coiinii  coiuuie  Icl  par 
Ic  l)urcau  lie  direction.  iTa  plus  a  payer  Ics  contributions  pour 
la  (hisse  tics  inaladcs  el  il  perd  en  nr'iiic  temps  tout  tlroit  aiix 
hciielices  dc' c(;tte  Caisse.  Mais  il  ih  iiicurc  atlilit'  a  la  Caissc  dc 
*<li)tation.  pourvu  (pi'il  foiitiniic  a  i)ayer  leiiulierenient  les 
ni.M;tants  niensuels  de  sa  prime  eiitiere  dc  <lotatioii.  plus,  a 
(.•haiiiie  mois.  un  dtuiziciue  d"unc  soinme  e.juivalenie  a  rinteret 
unniicl  a  ")X  du  capital  dont  il  a  hcih'jlicie  d'avance  par  le  paie- 
iM  'lit  dc  la  moitie  de  son  assurance  ;  ou  l»ien  encore  t^u'il 
cousciite  a  .c  (pic  ')'/a  du  niDiitaut  des  heneiiees  de  dotati()n 
re-lant  a  echcoii  [)oiir  lui  a  la  date  du  paicmeiit  de  la  premiere 
nioiiit'  ^\v,  ccrtilieat,  soieiit  deduits  annuellemeiit  par  I'a^soeia- 
tiou.  pour  Ic  servict^  du  susdit  intt'ret,  a  elia(|ue  annee  qui 
suivra  sa  deelaralioii  d"invaliditt\  jiisiprA  la  vinglieme  inclusi- 


c 


•)•) 


vciiicnt.  alors  (|iic  Ic  iiiDiitiint  cntici' (Ics  l»i'ii(''fic('s  a  lui  t'chcoir 
sc  trouvcrait  al'soHx'.  A  (Irtaut  dii  vrrs-mcit  iiitrtiral  i-t  ivj^ulicr 
•  Ics  (■(mtrihiitioiisonliiiaircs.  dans  \v  dt'lai  ivLrlciiicntaiivde  deux 
mois,  Ic  soc'it'tairc  invalidc  est  rave,  dc  droit,  dc  I  ii.ste  dcs 
nieiiihrts. 

Le  tout,  sans  prejudice  aiix  droits  ac(|uis  dcs  socirtaircs  dc 
r.  I  nion  Franco-Canadicnnc.  ;iyant  ohtcnu  Icurs  ccrtilicats 
avant  Ic  (|uinzc  tVvrici-  mil  huit  cent  <|ii,iti'c-vinu1-dix-huit. 

Le  Jiurcau  dv  direction  dc  i/Cnion  Franco-Canadicnnc  a 
toujours  Ic  droit  dc  prop-oser  a  ses  societaircs  maladcs.  ct  dc 
c'onclurc  avcc  cux  tons  Ics  arrangements  (pTil  ju.tic  opportuns. 

Art.  42  — Dans  iccasou  un  mcnd.rcdcsiivrait  en  appclcr  dc  la 
dtcif^ion  du  nicdccin-cii(|ucteur.  an  snjct  de  la  (|iicstion  d-invnli- 
dite,  ilfait  sio-niticr  avis  dc  \r]  appelau  I'rcsident  (Jcncral.  lc(iuc] 
doit  exigcr.  connnc  j^^arantic.  du  nicml.re  appelant,  nn  depot  nc 
poiivant  cxcedcr  S-2r,.()().  F,„s,|m.  ,,.  d.'.p^t  a  etc  verse  entre  les 
mains  du  Tresoricr  (leneral.  Ic  President  (u'lu'ral  nonnuc  alors 
un  medcein  faisant  parlic  de  Tiissoeiation.  Le  nicnd)rc  ai)pclant 
a  aussi  le  droit  de  choisir  un  nit'deein  faisant  partic  on  non  dc 
I'association.  Ces  dcMix  medeeins.sur  la  reipiisition  du  President 
(u'ncral.  noimncnt  un  tvoisirMiic  mede,in.  elioisi  parnn  les  soci('- 
taircs.  Ces  irois  medeeins  eomjio-cnt  un  eonntc  d"en(|Uctc.  (|ui 
etudic  le  ca.s  sounds  ci  dont  la  decision  est  linalc. 

J.es  lionnraires  dr  <h's  trois  m('decins-en(|Ueteui-s  sont  dcSo.OO 
par  jour  on  fraction   <!  ■  jour,  d  i;..   la  cit'.    de    Montival.     11   n<' 
pent,  ecpcn.h.nt.  -lans  aucun  cas.  ctre  p,,_ve   a  clia-iuc    medcein. 
])ius  de  810.(10  p;ir  joui'  ct  le«;  frais  de  vovauc 

An  cas  ou  la  decision  dcs  arhitres  serait  dcfavoral.l<.  a  I'appe- 
laiit.  le  Bureau  de  direct  ion  doii.  A  uiruw  Ic  depot  fait  par  cc 
dernier,  payer  rindemnit/'  ct  les  frais  dcs  arl.itres  :  la  l.alance, 
s'il  y  a  lieu,  doit  ctre  reml)nnr>('c  a  rappciant. 

Au^as  on  la  decision  dcs  arl.ilrcs  serait  fa  V(,ral,l,.  ;,  rapp,.|,.,nt, 
i;i'iHon  Franco-Canadicmic  est  ol.li-ve  dc  paver  les  frais  dcs 
arhitros  en  plus  du  montant  du  A  lappciant'.  Ic  tout  confor- 
lucnicnt  anx  reolcnuails  dc  i;Ci,ioii  Frahco-(  aiiadi.auu'. 


Art. 

dix  ans, 
res.  sauf 
aux  droi 
fevrier  n 

Art.  . 

son  ccrti 
1°  El 

]e  niontf 
2°  Ell 
.•;°   En 

plus  du 
4°   En 

dotati<)n. 

Art.  * 

dotation 
cnntre  ui 

1°  En 

2°  En 
l'ass(jciat 

;5°  En 
dotation, 
huit  cent 

4°  En 
fin  du  UK 
de  e,(;i-tidt 
ral,  celu 
deinande. 
mois  ou  1 
cretaire  (1 

Art.  4 

augniente 
meut  aux 
ne  i)i'ut  al 
perili'c  to  I 


23 


lui  cchcoir 
•al  ct  iv<i;uli('i' 
tai'ivde  .Icux 

1      ii.stu  (Ics 

•rit'taircs    dc 
s    cci'tilicats 
ix-luiit. 
inadicniic    a 
adcs,    ct  (Ic 

)|)l)(>ftUllS. 

ippelerdc  la 
(Ml  dMnvali- 
it'i-al.  lc(jucl 
nil  dt'pot  uv 
'.se  eiitrc  Ics 
:)iiiiii('  alors 
)re  appelant 
<»u   noil  d(> 

11  PlV>id(Mll 

ni  Ics  so('i('- 
i"|i'*"tt'-  qni 

'lit  dcSo.dO 
ival.  II  nc 
I,'   ini'dccin, 

li'  A  Tappc- 

I'ait  par  cc 

la    balance, 

I'appf'lant, 
■  t'rais  dcs 
tut  ('(infof- 
uic. 


Art.  43— Ia's  nu-nil)ivs  invalides:,  uge.s  dv  nioins  desoixante- 
dix  aiiis,  sont  obliges  de  payer  toutes  lei^  contributions  ordinai- 
res.  sunt'  i^our  le  Fonds  de  Secours  ;  sans  prejudice,  toutefois, 
aux  droits  des  nienibres  adniisdans  rassociation  avant  le  quinze 
fevrier  mil  huit  cent  quatre-vingt-dix-huit. 

Art.  44-T()ut  luenibre  (pii  desire  augnieiiter  le  montant  de 
son  certiticat  de  dotation  pent  lefaire.  aux  conditions  suivantes: 

1°  En  signant  nne  nouvelle  deniaude  d'adnnssion  speciHant 
le  nioiiUmt  du  nouveau  certiticat  de  dotation  (ju'll  desire  ol)tenir. 

2°   En  subissant  un  nouvel  exanim  medical  ;  ' 

'•5°  En  payant  un  nouveau  droit  d'entree  de  deux  piastres  en 
plus  du  prix  de  rexamen  medical  ; 

4°  En  acceptant  d'etre  regi,  pour  ce  nouveau  certiticat  de 
dotation,  par  les  reglements  en  vigueur  apres  le  Icr  mars  1899. 

Art.  45— Un  membre  en  regie,  .pii  deti(Mit  un  certiticat  de 
dotation  d-un  chiffre  superieur  a  SoOO  pent  en  faire  Tabandon 
contre  un  certificat  moins  el.'ve  aux  cnnditi.)ns  suivantes  ; 

1°   En  produisant  uiie  demande  a  cet  etfet  ; 

2°  Eu  remettant  son  errtificat  au  .Secretaire  General  de 
l'ass(jciation  ; 

;5°  En  acceptant  d'etre  regi.  pour  ce  nouveau  certiticat  de 
dotation,  par  les  reglements  en  vigueur  apres  le  ler  mars  mil 
huit  cent  tiuatre-vingt-tlix-neuf  : 

^  4*^  Eu  payant  toutes  ses  redcvaiices  a  Ta-soeiati.)!)  jus(iu"a  la 
fin  du  mois  durant  le.juel  il  produit  sa  <lemaii(le  de  diminuti.m 
de  (iortiucat.  Sar  transmission  de  >-es  pi:.c-e^  :u,  Secretaire  (Gene- 
ral, eelui-ci  emet  un  imuveau  certilieat.  pour  le  montant 
demande.    i/ancien  certilieat  rcste  en  vigueur  jusqu'a  la  tin  du 

mois  ()u  la  demande  du  nouveau  cerlitirat   est  produite  au   Se- 
cretaire (ieiieral  de  Tas-ociai ion. 

Art.  46— Tout  membre  inherit  a  la  Caisse  de  Dotation  j)eut 
augmenteroudiminuer  le  cliiirre  de  son  certilieat,  conforme- 
meut  aux  reglements  de  \/Vuu>n  Fianco-Canadieime.  mais  il 
ne  pent  abandumier  complelement  la  Caisse  de  Dotation  sans 
jierdi'e  Lous  ses  droits  eomme  membre  de  Tassoeiation. 


■21 


Art.  47  — IjOi'S(|iriiii  nil  lufiulirc  ;i|)|i;irl(ii;iiit  :~i  l;i  Cuissc  (h; 
Dotation  vicnt  ;\  niourir.  sa  vciuc.  s'il  est  inai'ii'.  a  droit  cniitnr- 
nieiiicnt  aiix  iti't'sciils  ivilciiiciils.  an  iiioiitaiit  (in  ccrtiticat  do 
dotation  aiors  v\\  vimicnr.  a  iiioiii"^  ([nc  Ic  incnilirc  dc'crdt'  n'cn 
ait  dispost'-  [)ar  tcstaiiirnt.  S"il  iTi'tait  point  inarit'.  Ic  P)iircan  de 
direction  a  disciV'tion  alisoinc  dc  di'tiTiiiincr  a  (jiii  cv  moiitant 
doit  t'U'o  pa_V(''.  a  iiioiiis  (pu  i*  incmlu'c  dt'ci'dr  n'cn  ait  aussi 
dispose  par  tcstaiiieiit. 

Art.  48 — An  eas  dc  discussion  riitrc  Ics  rcclaniants.  sur  la 
valeur  respective  de  leurs  droits,  {"association  jicut  retenir,  en 
entier  on  en  partie,  le  niontant  i\r^  dits  heiicticcs.  ins(|u'a  re- 
gleinent  entre  les  interesst's  on  juscpra  (h'cisioii  tinale. 

Art.  49 — Les  jjaienients  fails  dc  honne  foi  j,ar  I'association 
aiix  ayants  droit  a])i)parents  de  tout  on  i)artie  des  i)eneiiees 
dus  par  la  Caisse  de  Dotation,  sont  valaMes  et  les  personnesipii 
se  trouvent  lesees  n'ont  rccours  <pic  contre  ic  di'lcnteur  de  la 
soinme  ;  elles  iie  peuvcnt  ponrsnivrc  rassocintioii. 

Art.  50 — Les  ayants-droit  anx  ln'iicticcs  de  dotation,  (pii 
desireiit  jouir  des  av.inta,Li-es  stipules,  doivciit  tournir  an  Secre- 
taire (u'lieral  de  rassoeiation.  dans  les  treiite  jours  apres  le 
deces  ; 

1"  Uue  deinande  de  heiietices.  seloii  les  ternies  de  la  foriniile 
prescrite  ; 

2°  L'aete  de  naissance  on  toute  autre  preiive  de  Ti'mv  exact 
du  nieinbre  decede.  a  la  satisfaction  du  i'.ureau  de  dii'ccti,,ii  ; 

8°  Ln  certitical  de  niedecin  conslafant  le  <;enre  de  nialadie 
ou  raceident  dont  le  societaire  est  niort  : 

4°    Les  titre-  etablissant  lenr  (pialit(-  a  jouir  de  rv:^  hcnelices  • 

0°    Le  certifieat  ou  ])olice  du  nieiiilue  dccedc. 

Art.  51— Tons  les  nicnil. res  dojveut  payer  l.'urs  contrihutions 
mensuelles  ie  ou  avant  !e  i)remiiT  jour  de  cliaipie  niois. 

Art.  52— Tout  menil.re  rpii  n'a  pas  pay/  sa  eontrihution 
mensuelle.  sa  retribution  annuejle  ,,ii  Hani-annuelle.  en  uu  mot, 
les  contributions  de  toute  nalure  iiii|»osees  en  vertu  des  reide'- 
nients.  dans  les  deux  inois  aprc.^  Icur  ('■de  aiicc.  csi    rav^'  (K    fait 


uissc  (1(; 
it('(»nf(>r- 
ificat  do 
■dr  n'cn 
iirrup.  (le 
iiioiitniit 
lit    aiissi 


25 


.Ic  la  linte  des  mciubres  ;  ueaninoins,  le  coniite  pour  1' admission 
L't  la  reintegration  des  niembres  peat,  lors(iu'il  le  juge  utile  et 
dans  I'interet  de  r association,  reintngrer,  aux  conditions  qu'il 
jugera  etre  conformes  aux  interets  de  1' association,  les  nienihres 
rayes  en  quelque  temps  et  pour  queb^ue  cause  que  ce  soit,  ex- 
cei)te  poui  le  cas  d' expulsion. 


>.  sur  la 
ciiir,  en 
qu'a   re- 

:ociation 
benefices 
ines  qui 
IV  de  la 

ion,  (|ui 
1  S( 'Civ- 
il ires    le 

forniiilc 

re   exact 
lion  ; 
lualadie 

nt-iiccs  ; 

ilnUions 

riltiition 
nil  mot, 

s     t'Cglc- 

d.    fait 


CHAP  IT  RE  \'II 
Dispositions  Generales. 

Art.  53— Tout  reglement  concernant  le  Fonds  de  Secours  et 
non  incompatible  avec  ceux  de  la  Caisse  de  Dotation,  s' applique 
cgalement  a  cette  derniere,  et  vice  versa. 

Art.  54— Le  Comite  d' organisation  et  de  legislation  a  discre- 
tion al.solue  pour  diminuer  le  taux  des  droits  d' entree  quand  il 
le  juge  a  propos. 

Art.  55— Tout  Directeur  (pii  sera  nomme,  a  Tavenir,  devra 
etre  agrege  a  la  Caisse  de  Dotation. 

Art  56— Tout  membre  ad  mis  dans  T  association  apres  le 
quinz,"  tevrier  mil  liuit  cent  qu.itrc-vin,t-dix-huit  a  droit  de  re- 
cevoir,  dans  les  trente  jour>  apr^s  son  admission  : 

1°  Vn  certiticat  pour  cIkuiuc  caisse  ;  ,     r .  ,t   • 

•2°  Unecopie  de^  Constituti.>ns  et   ir-leiuouls  de   L  Union 
Franco-Canadienne  ; 

;r   Un  liviet  de  ivcus  ; 

4°  Fntin  uuc  med:iille  d'  Tassociation,  m.d.dle  qui  dmt, 
autant  que  possible,  Glre  portee  par  le.  me:u!>res,  comme  s.gne 
de  ralliemeiit. 

Art.  57-Le  societairc  et   scs  ayants  droit  son!  decbus  du 

.^.  :,    ,,,,„     .Ks    avantages   pecunuures 

!,;iblis^K.r  IcJtatn...  lorsque  la  lualad.c.   l-inUrmiteou  lamort 

(lilt  pour  causi'  :  ,  i 

•  •      .•  ..      iv,.  •^  niic   n\e  ou   une  cineiile,    la 

1^    La  participation  agre-M\ea  mu    n-x* 


I 


26 


1):!  ticipation  ;i  dos  jfux  et  cxiTciccs  vi..leiils(Ui  tlaiigcrciix,  etc  ; 
-°   La  d('l);uiclu' (HI  I'iiitc  ni|M'-r;ince  ; 

.">°  liC  siiicicU',  cxccptt'  liirs(|u'il  ivsiillc  (run  t'tnt  (rali('iia- 
Uon  iiifiitiilc  ])\vn  r.\Vi\v{vv']<v  ct  con^tati'  dcimis  tin  tfinps 
ruitSdiHiidile.  a  la  condition,  ccpcndant.  (pic  cctte  dcrnirre  ma- 
ladie  n'ait  pas  etc  causec  par  rinlcnip.'ranccou  i)ar  unc  coiiduite 
det?oi'donnee  ; 

4°  L  cntrcpriric  d'oprratioiis  on  d'cxpi'M-icnecs  dan<>;crcus(^s.  ct 
de  nature  a  niettre  la  vie  en  danger,  sans  avoir  ))rcalal)lenient 
obtcnu  la  jxTujission  du  Bureau  de  direction  : 

o°  J.a  participation  a  un  adc  puni  par  les  loisciviK's  : 
6°La  pcrpc'tration  (Tun  fait  condanmahlc  (pii.  a  raison  de  sa 
gravite.  rend  le  nieinhrc  l.a^^.sible  de  rcxpulsion  aux  tcrnics  des 
statuts  et  reglenients  de  I'association; 

(  "  r.  engagement  du  socictaire  dans  uncarniect'trangerc,  sans 
Tautorisation  expresse  du  Bureau  de  direction  : 

S'^  Das  voyages  cntrepris  par  le  soci('taire.  sans  la  nienie  sus- 
dite  autorisatioii.  en  des  contrecs  aux  diinats  dangereux,  aux 
perils  trop  multiplies,  i>ar  cxemplc  le  Klondyke,  et  les  '  pays 
ot  regnent  les  lievrh's  <4  autre,  maladies  endemi(iUes,  commc  les 
regions  equutoriules. 

Art.  58— Le  socictaire  on  M)n  ayant  droit  (pd  cause  volon- 
tairemcnt  pn'judice  a  Tassoeiiition  ou  .pn  n.-gliuv.  sans  excuse 
valable,  pleinement  justiliee.  de  comparaitre  ,1  d,.  d,'.p,,ser  de 
bonne  foi.  connne  temoin,  lorsiprij  ,1,  esl  rcpn's.  en  vcrtu  dcs 
statuts,  est  dechu  ipso  facto  du  droit  de  partieipcr  aux  I.em'li.vs 
etablis  par  les  statuts  de  LTnion  Kranco-CaMadicnnc. 

Art.  59— Ladecheancencdonnc  lieu  a  aucun  r..nd.omve- 
ment  des  versemenls  ciiVctucs  amcri,,nem(  i,t  on  post.'.rieure- 
menta  I'accomplisscmcnt  dcs  artcs  passiMcs  de  (.cite  peine. 

Art.   60— Le  Hurcau  dedirvlion   a  le  dmit   d-t'.t;d)iir     par 
tou^ouillejuge  apropos,  des  .neenr>al,>  de  ..,.,((,  assoeiati.'.n 
etde   ratitier    J'imposilion  ,rm,e   la.xe  >uppl,  n,.nt:,irc  par  ces 
suceursale.,  pom'  leur  emretien  :  n,ai>  md    m.-ndav  n-e-t  obli.,,'. 
d  apparteuir  a  uncsuccursal,..  A  moin>  ,|uil  n-aii  si.n(' la  n.nuMc 


dcmanda 

succursal 

Le  Bui 

inents  co 

Art.  ( 

de  contii 
admis. 

Les  ca 
le  ler  jui 
indi(}ue 

Art.  I 

nietta.it 
et  en  pa} 

Art.  I 

le  systeii 
dcs!  le  I: 
droit  de 
pour  un 
rinteret 
rection  1 


Art. 

Une     SO( 

rivrcssi 
sans  po 
d('clar(' 
la  cond; 
ionics  r 
tcntc  (I 
bi'neiici 


27 


(k'liiaudant  au  Bureau  de  dircctiun  rt'ial)li?>rt(MU(,'Ut   d'une    lelle 
succiu'sale  dans  sa  loealite. 

Le  Bureau  de  direction  prepare  et  amende  lui-uierae  les  regle- 
inents  concern  ant  la  regie  des  succursales. 

Art.  61 — Les  candidate  adniis  dani?  1" association  n'ont  pas 
de  contribution  a  payer  pour  le  luois  durant  lequel  ils  ont  ete 
adinis. 

Les  candidats  proposes  conuue  nieuibres  de  1' association  apres 
lelerjuillet  1.S9S  devront  payer  Iciirs  contributions  au  taux 
indi(iue  })Our  I'age  (piMls  auront  a  leur  ])roc.hain  anniversaire. 

Art.  62 — Toutnienibre  pent  d(»niier  sa  demission,  en  trans- 
metta.it  au  Bureau  de  direction  unavis  i)ar  ecritdeson  intention 
et  en  [)ayant  toutes  ses  redevances  a  T association. 

Art.  63— Quoique  L' Union  JManeo-Canadienne  ait  adopte 
le  systeme  de  centralisation  des  Fonds  \)nuv  la  C'aisse  des  Mala- 
des,  le  Bureau  de  direction,  dans  des  cas  extraordinaire^,  a  le 
droit  de  perniettre  la  decentralisation  de  ces  fonds  de  secours 
pour  une  succursale  })articulieri'.  lorscju"]!  croit  (pril  est  dans 
I'interet  del' association  d' en  a-ir  ainsi.  mais  le  Bureau  de  di- 
rection n'est,  en  aucun  cas,  Wim  de  donncr  telle  permission. 


CHAIMTUK  VIII 
Expulsion  des  societaires 

Art.  64— ^'abandon  dr  la  religion  catliolifiue,  rafiiliation  a 
WW  soci.  te  secivte.  on  toute  autre  condanint'e  ])ar  FEglise, 
rivressehabitucll.-.  ralvmdon  de  sa  IVunue  et  de  ses  enfants 
sans  pourvoir  a  leurs  bcsoins.  le  fait  de  ne  pas  avoir  seienii  irnt 
declare  la  veritedans  son  exanien  iinUical.  riinuioralite  notoiiv. 
hM'ondanniation  a  une  anien.le  on  a  reniprisouneuKMit  pour  fe- 
lonies ou  actescriminelseonsideresasse/ graves,  le  fait  d'avoir 
trnte  de  frauder  on  cravo'.r  frande  rassoeiatiou  en  retirant  des 
iKiieiices  (jui  n'etaient  pasdus  ou  auireiiieiit.  peuvent  eiitrainer 


•js 


Uj.ivs  Icur  cnii.-tiitMlioii  ollicicllr.  rc\iml>iiiii  (If  r;is^.»(i;iti«»ii  <lu 

-(icit'tairc  coUlCllilc.    rt    l;l    pcllc  il<'  l<lU^  lu'lM-lircS. 

'I'out  Uicliilu'c  ;i|.|i;iitcli:int  a  Ulic  ailtlr  socit'tr  (|Uclcoll(|U('. 
la(|U(  lie.  mi  jour  (,u  r.nili'c.  >  rait  t<»i'iiicll<iiiciit  coiKlaiiiiicc  par 
l"l^;iiisc  (loiirra.  ccpciKlant.  contiinK  r  dc  fairc  part  ic  dc  1/ I  u\n\\ 
Fraiico-Caiiadicnjic.  aiix  (•tiii(liti<.ii>  (pii  scraimt  (Irlcriiiiiiccs 
par  raiiloi'itt'  (■(■(■li'sia-tit|Uc  cniiipi'lciitc. 

Art.  65  -Ni'aiiiiKiiiis.  si  1  rxpiilsioii  .In  sorit'tai'c  coiipalilc 
t'tait  i»ar('n'  siir  sou  ivfcssc  on  siir  raliaiidoii  di'  -a  tciiime  I't  dc 
scs  ("uiaiits,  rcXik'Utioii  dc  la  si'Utcncc  pent  ("'tic  slis])cii(hu'.  siir 
la  proiucsse  (pril  tVrait  i\v  s'al»<ti'iiir  dc  li  tir-s.>n-  ciiivrantcs  ou 
lie  pDiirvoii' aux  luoycns  d'cx  istciicc  di' sa  tcmiuc  ci  dv  scs  cn- 
t'ants.  pniifvii.  toutct'ois.  (pic  ri\Tcs-c  lialiitiicilc  n'ait  jioint 
affccte  sa  saute,  an  point  dc  coiiiprotncttrc  rintcivt  dc  Tassocia- 
tion.  p]n  cas  (riiilidclitc  a  sa.  proiucssc.  cii  (luclipic  temps  (piece 
soit  api'cs  le  ju*i;cmeiit  rendu,  la  sci;t"iicc  dcviciit  cxcciitoirc  I't 
reyoit  son  j)lciii  ct  ciiticr  clTct.  snr  decision  du  Uurcau  dc 
difection. 

Art.  66 — T.a  decision  d(s  nircctenrs.  en  maticrc  ircxpulsion. 
apres  enqucte,  est  linalc  ct  sans  appel  ;  clle  cnti'ainc.  par  Ic 
fait,  pour  I'cxpulsc.  la  pcM'tc  dr  tons  scs  d('l)i)ursi's  (  a  rexceii- 
tion  deceux  ([ui  sc  trouv/rai'Ut  alors  p:iy.''s  en  a\'aiit.  )  ainsi 
que  de  tous  hctiefices.  taut  pi>ur  lui  (pie  pour  scs  ln'riticrs. 

Art.  67 — 'ics  memlircs  cxpulses  nr  pcuvent  jamais  plus 
faire  parlic  dc  rassociatioii. 

Ait.  68 — A  la  Seance  dn  comitt'  d'ciiquete  a  hcpiclle  eon- 
nais.sancc  est  doinii'c  Ar>  t'aits  repfoches.  on  prend  les  mcsui'cs 
necessaircs  pour  arriver  a  la  d(Cou\-eHe  de  In  xi'riti'.  l)eu\ 
iiieinhres,  dircctcurs  ou  mod.  l■hoi^i-  par  le  pri'sid:  nt  du  d.jt 
comite  d'ciKpietc,  soiit  alors  autori-'sa  proc'der  a  mieciKpiete, 
])rt'nncnt  tons  les  rcnieiLi-iiemcnts.  interred.;- Mil  lest  nioin«.  vi'ri- 
(iciU  rcxaclitudc  -les  dispositions,  eiilin  enmniissciii  dc  tnus  Ics 
I'aits  pour  s'as-^urcr  de   l,i    \-.-rit(''.    ('c]ieiidaiil.    les  coimnis-aircs- 

I'UqUctclirs   pell  Vent,    s'ijs  croielit  avoii-  des   prelives  sullisanles  ell 

mains.  s"c\c'iipter  d'alic!'  l',d/c    I  cH'piete   stir    place   nuprcs   dc 


riliculpe. 

lui-nirMue 

droit  dc  V 

lui.  depu 

souiiues  ( 

arrangeni 

Les  ru] 

Uurcau  ( 

voir  s"il 

lucinlu'c 

Art. 

mcmbre 
nature  d 
I'll  prest 
est  entei 
prelives 
exi)ulse 

Art. 

exiuniii 
dircctio 
deux  ti 
dans  le 
doiiucc 
(ieiu'r.i 
immed 


Art 

dc    la 
a^i'cut 
les  CO 

1    3 


•>'.) 


,-i„,,,lpr.  Auras.  ..u  un  n.c.ulnv  dv  l^.ssoriation  ivnomv  .r 
lui-mrMuc  a  scs  .In.its  .Ic  socirtaiiv.  Ir  cunit.'  (U-..  tinanccs  a  Ic 
.l,,,it  .1,-  mulH>ursrr  u,u-  partie  ou  Ir  tout  du  n.ontant  pay.  par 
l„i  .U.puissou  ..ntr^V  dans  rassoriation.  .Ir.hu.t.on  ta.tr  ..s 
.o,u.u.S4U-ilp.ul  avoir  n.<;ucs  m   lu'.H-.rHH.s    ...    ...aladie.    I  .. 

an-an.H'U.rnt  .le  cn-ttc  uatu.v  ....'t  f...  a  1  r...ii..U".  ^ 

l.;rupp(.rt8aescH.......issai.vs-.,.4U^tr,.,-s   H,..t   prosei.t.s  an 

,.,,,,u.  .Ic  direction   .1  d^cisio..  .si  p.'is.  sur  la  ,,...st.o..  d.  sa- 

voirs-ils.ra.lo..nesuit.   a    I  ii.stru.tio..  de  la   cause,   ou  si   Ic 

„„,,„l,n.  est  cxoncrc  dc  T  ii.culpatio.i. 

Art     69-Au   cas  ou    suite  est  douiuV   a   riuculpatiou.   le 

HH.,..bre    accuse   est    invite  a  se  presenter  deva..t  leBmvau;^  la 


,,,,,,,  a.  l^.cte  .,u^.n  lui  .^T^-lH•  lui  est  alo,.s  co,.nnunuiuee, 
,n  presence  du  lU.reau,  et  .a  d.fe..se.  s  ,1  <..  a  u,.e  a  p.-ese..te, 
estU.due;Muin..3ou.-sluiso.Ua.co,-despou.-to..^^^ 
pveuves.et,  s'ilneserendpasalappelMUihnc^t  ta.t.   .1    e.t 

exi)ulse  par  defaut. 

Art    TO-M'iV''  av..ir   .■nu-n.lu  In    .K-lrns..   ,!.■  rar.-us,'.    ,.t 

,      -non  n^n'l  sa  aA.Wo.u-ri- ;-'""■"'■*;'?':■'' ^'"   ';'"■'''  '^^^^^ 
,,  u,.,-s  a,.s  nH.,»l..vM..vs,.,„s.  ...  ,-..t..  .l.,.|s,..„  ,.t  .n,ns<.nu 

.r,vn.a,san,m,.s,lul>.un.u.U-.lin;.u,.,.     .■opUM.n.^ 

,;,,„.,,,,,  ,„|„S,,.,vU>i,v.;.-.n:.»l,!,..x™ulHn,avh,    a.u.H.uc.t 
iiuMirdiatc  ct  ii..ale. 


™''' 


CilAlMTUK  IX 

Section  des  femmes 

1,1    ,.vr.  l'.''ini.iii.    pcut    t'aire    parf.e 
Ai-t    7i_Toutc  pcrso.mc  dii  ^«'-\^  Ki'"""     i 

^'^^'    '^  \      ..    ,     .h.  ,Ttt.  asr-.-cialiou.    lua.s    eo..in.e 


;;() 


iittfiul  (jii;ir;iiil(j  I'l  uii  ans  : 

2"   ProtV'Sfi-er  la  rt'li«!;i()n  catlioliciuc  : 

8°   Etrc  (loutMMruu  l)()ii  carac'i^iv.  avoir  unc  honucconduiU', 
jouir  (rune  Im.iiiic  ivputatioii  ihoimIc  ct  i»rati(HKT  la  sobrieto. 

Art.  72— Les  droits  (renUvc  s(jiit  dv  85.00.  Citte  somme 
doit  I'trt,'  (U'posee  eiitiT  les  mains  dii  proposrur.  lors  dc  la  signa- 
ture de  la  carte  de  deinaiided'adinissi  ;ii;  les  aspirantes  tloiveiit, 
de  i)liis.  payer  directemeiit  aux  niedeeius-exaiuinateurs  la  som- 
nie  de  SI  00,  pour  un  eertitieat  de  8')00  ;  de  Sl.oO  i)Our  un 
certilieat  de  Sl.OOO.  Les  asi)irantes  sont  seuli's  respousahles  des 
sounnes  dues  aux  uu'decins-exauiinateurs  loeaux. 

Art.  73— Toute  personue  reinplissaut  les  conditions  requires 
par  les  reglenients  de  Tas-^oeiation  jx'Ut  faire  inie  deinande 
d'adnnssion  dans  I'association  en  deposaut.  entre  les  mains  du 
SecrfHaire  General  ou  d'un  agent  autorise.  les  soinmes  ei-dessus 
nientionnees.  pour  couvrir  les  frais  de  la  revision  de  rexanien 
niedical,  les  droits  (reutree.  etc..  a])res  avoir  jirealablenient  si- 
irne  une  demande  d'atlniission  tl'nprrs  les  formules  exijives  par 
le  Bureau  de  direction.  L'aLient  desiiiii''  alors  a  Taspirante  le 
medecin  devaut  (pii  elle  doit  suhir  Texamen  medical. 

Art.  74  -Leconiite  pour  railmi.s-ion  et  la  reintegration  des 
membres  a  le  pouvoir  ai»soiu  de  refuser  ou  d'accepter  les 
aspirantes. 

Art.  75 — An  ea-  de  rejet,  le  Secn'taire  (leut'ral  doit  avertir 
sans  delai  le  t-andidat  mallieurmx.  <■!  le  pi'oposeur  de  eette 
derniere  est  lenu  de  i-emlxmrser  an  ilit  cmididat  ee  (prelle  a  pave 
cotnnu'  droits  ('"  'Utree.  moiiis  la  soninie  de  ein(|uante  eeiitins, 
laiiuelle.  servant  a  payer  les  debourses  oeea>ionnt's  pour  les  fr;;is 
de  re\'ision  de  rrxanieii.  etc. .  n"est  jamais  i'end)oursable.  i.e 
montani  l>aye  par  le  eandidat  an  ne'ilrrin  exauuiiateur  local 
n'est.  non  plus,  remboursable  cu  nui'un  cas. 

Art.  76 — Les  socieliiires  :ipp;ii'ten;int  a  la  section  d(  s  t'ennues 
verseut  mensuellemeiit.  poiif  In  rnisseilc  hotntion.  les  somiues 
fixees  dans  le  tableau  suivnut.  iTaprrs  le  cliitlVt'  dc  Icui'  certilieat 
rcspectif  et  I'aue  au!|Ucl  il  Icur  a  r\v  ociroyc. 


T.MU.K.VII 


'22 
;  2:) 
24 
2."> 
•2»i 
•J7 
28 
2U 

31 


Art. 

outre,  \ 
Fonds 

Art. 

admise 

huit, 

nientii 

Art 

fennru 

confoi' 

oertitii 

decedi 

etuit  ^ 

reglei 

ment' 

le  Bu 

ce  nu 

uit  di 

Le 

aux  ! 


:\\ 


vs 


Taiu.kau   dks  C.ntuuu-tions  Mensuk.-lks  roru  i.ks  Mkmhhks 

APl'AllTENANT  A  LA  SECTION  UE^  FEMMES. 


!  A 118 

I     -^ 


24 

25 

2« 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 


loOO 


4-lc 
44 
45 
45 

■17 

48 

4U 

50 

52 

53 

54 


$1000 

"^  88c 
88 
8\) 
00 
03 
05 
OS 
I  00 
1  03 


1 


o;) 

08 


Alls 

^2 
33 
34 
35 
30 

i   37 

:')8 

30 
40 
41 


$500 


$10(X) 


00 

57 

59 

liO 

{V2 

M 

07 

f)8 

70 

75 


1  10 

1  13 
1  17 
1  20 
1  24 
1  28 
1  33 


1   .'>o 

1  40 
1  50 


Art    77-I.c..  s..cietai.-.s  iVR.VK,-*  a  cette  section  paient,  en 
,,,utlJe  cnfibution  cle  vin,t-ein„  e.uth,.  „.>■  n,o,s,  pour  le 

Foiuls  Genenil. 

Art    78-Toutes  les  soeietaives  de  la  section    des    fe.nraes, 

''"^.'•"'^":^;nP:;:ti'aL  i.:!:-"™"oa.^^^^ 

mentionnee  dans  1  auic  It -o   i        r,  ^ 

Art    79-I."rs,u-unnun,l.re  appa,tenant  a  ^^ .^'^"^^ 

■  ',^,>nv    <i  ."He  eliut  luanee,  a  uu)it, 

fcnnne.  --« -■■"-■''\^'   J'  .  ":,    ,         L   n.outant  de  son 

contomnOnient  aux   l'^^^'^^,'''   ^»  ,        '' .  ,„„;,„  ,ju„  lemend,re 

,-tait  veuve,  sesenfants  """'"'";  ,     jj„j,tion  ei-desst.s 

r6glenu.nt.,  au  n.ontaut  du  "■"""•  ',,!,ij  „,  a' enfant, 
,.;;uionne.  8i  e.le  •>•*"'.'"':'.';:::'.:,:  udt^tennu.er  a  qui 
le  liureat.  de  direction  a  disce.iou  •■"-.„  j,^.,,^  „.,« 
ce  n.ontant  doit  etre  pave,  a  n,on,^  .pu  U  in' 

ait  .lispose  par  "«';"';;»';        ,|,.^  ,.„„„„„  „,„,  an...  sounn.es 

i,cs  nieud.res  dc  la  sution   '"  

aUK  articles  3U  et  37  dcs  presots  reslenant.. 


CHAIMTUE  X 
Le  Conseil  General 
Art.  80-Le  Conseil  Gni^'n.!  .v.ui.luce  r.:isc-nil)lee  geuerale, 

et  est  forme  comnie  suit  : 

10   Les  inem\)res  du  Bureau  do  dircrtion  ; 

2°  Les  deux  repr.^se,uants  provinciaux  du  President  Cene.al 

30  Un  representant  du  President  General,  pour  ehaeun  des 
dioceses  de  la  province  de  Quebec,  un  seul  pour  tout  le  Manitoba 
etles  Territoires  du  Nord  Quest.  CVpendant,  cette  regie  ne  s  ap- 
pli.iue  qu'aux  dioceses  dans  lesquels  L'  Union  Franco-Canadien- 
ne  conipte  un  niininuun  de  -iOO  nienibres  en  regie  ; 

40  Un  representant  .les  nuMubres  pourchacun  des  dioceses  de 
la  province  de  Quebec,  un  seul  pour  le  Manitoba  et  les  1  erritoi- 
res  du  Xord  Quest.  Cep^'udant,  cette  regie  ne  s'apph.iue  qu  aux 
dioceses  oil  L' Union  Franco-Can«dienne  coini.te  un  nnninium 

de  200  nienibres  en  regie. 

Art  81— Les  depenses  de  voyage,  dunieiit  constatecs  et  en. 
couruJs  par  les  delegu6s  an  Conseil  General  .out  reniboursables 
h  ceux  qui  assistent  avec  exactitude  aux  seances  des  asseniblees 
du  Conseil  General  ainsi  .,u7i  ceux  .lui  out  et6  teinporaireinent 
absents,  en  vertu  .lun  conge  du  Presid-nt  General 

Art.  82~Apartirdeceiour.  les  asseinblees  regulieivs  du 
Conseil  General  out  lieu  tons  les  deux  ans,  entre  le  ler  mai  et 
et  le  aOseptembre,  a  h.  date  et  a  lendioit  fixes  par  le  Bureau 
de  direction,  et  dont  avis  est  donne  par  lettre  reconunandee  a 
chacun  des  nienibres  du  dit  Conseil  General 

Les  elections  n'ont  lieu  ([u'aux  asscniblees  reuulieres. 

La  seance  est  ouverte  par  le  President  General. 

Le  Secretaire  General  fait  un   rapport    de  I'exercicc  finissant 
au  ler  fevrier  precedent,  en  ce  qui  conceriie  1' administration  de 

la  societe. 

Apres  la  lecture  du  rapport  du  Secretaire  General  et  1  expe- 
dition ihr^  autivs  atTaires,  on  proct^de  a  l election  des  directeurs. 


•  >•> 

•  )•> 


1,,  lUircau  .Ir  -linrtion.  on  Ir  .•..initr  ,r..i-i.nisatioi.  r\  .Ic 
l,'.nshiti,.n,  a  1.  .ln>it  .Ir  .•o..v.M,u..r  .Ics  srssiuu.  siu-.-iulcs  .lu 
Cnnscil  (U'm-nil  ausM  ^..uvnt  Mu'il  Ir  juov  a  prcpos 

Lc".avis(l('SSi'ssi..nssi..-ciaU"s,  c.uvnqu.Vsi.ar   Ir   l.uivau  (h- 

dinrtion  ..u  l.M.ou.it^  .ro.-anisation   .t   .1.   l<Vi>lat'<;'>  ;1<"V'>;» 

.,tt.  rvunion  ;  aucun.  autn-  .,u.'stion  ^u.; -lU.  numt.o.uu.. 
aans  U"s  avis  a.,  convoration  n.  lunit  aiv  aisc-ute.'  aces  nession. 
;^|)rciaU'S. 

Art.  83-1."^  Pi^'nt-  ,vj.-lH,...nis  |.,uvH.t  .'IR'  .....m.I.-s  ,,;,>■ 

,,.^„li;.r,.  ,lu  Cuuscil  <i,m,-.ml,  .■onvo4.u-  .v,m,  H.,v„„.„t  .1  ,  ,.r> 
l,;,vskmu.ntsao  ru»s,K-iati..n,  i«urvu.   lo,U,-lu,s,   ,,,»■  !.■  t,xU 

„■.,   cop™,l.„t,  t,>m.,l,.|.,i.,"-ai-v;-  ^'vo,r  ,1,.   rat.l..-   p.,   urn 

Z;^^    ,u,;,,ui  sniven,  l-as...,>,l,l,V  ,h,  .onM.l  (;,.n,.ral     Dans 

,  ,..   ulitions,    I..S  s,.,Hts  a„„u,l.,n.;„t.  p..uv,.„     .  ■. 

!;;:;:,;;.«,.,  annuls  Muu,,.sr,,.  ,,.,,■  a,.  a,..at   ,.a,-   U.  UmnU. 

(I'oriianisition  et  dc  legislation. 


C'llAlMTllK  XI 
Le  Bureau  de  Direction 

,    •         1'  ('..n.idi.nnf  (St    aauiinistivc  par 

'"':*;»:r£:;,;:i'i;:::": -'It-;... --»..- 


SSI 

'(■ 


■  ■n  la  citr  ac  M«>iitr> 


s„„l  ....•inlavs  parli.apants  a.-  I.  I  m..,i 


:U 


•2°  I,,.  .Irniii  r  .iiici.ii  I'lV-i'h  nt  (i( m mi.  h'  ScciVtiiiiv  (Irii.'riil 
nrtii.l  ct  Icdd-ni.T  ^('^li  '!.■  rliai-v.  .|"'  ^""'  ""-'  l>ii'''''''''"'^ 
(1..  .ln.it.  ct  luiit  :intn>  uicimItc:^  ('Irctilv  h;i  i-ivsciitiitioii  (1(> 
(•:ili(li<l:il>  :m.\  poU-  .Ifs  ,lin rtriii^  rlrctifs  c-t  «lll  ivssorl  (lr> 
iiiciiiWrcs  (111  Con-fil  ( i''ii''i:il.  H^  [.ruvriri  dioisi-'  (•<■>  caiHlidats 
pariiii  Irs  iiiciiil.iv,-  >U'  ra^snrint'.on  tai>aiit  \K\v\\r  on  noii  <lu 
i;oii>cil  (li'iu'ral.  Aussitut  r.lcriinii  t'niiiiK'c.  li's  Dir.-clcurs 
pnu'i'iU'iit  an  r\u)\K  (l-:-  oilicicis.  ijiii  -nut  Ics  suivants  :  uii 
I'lvsidt'iit  (iHuTal.  1111  \rv  Vic(-l'iv<i.l.'iit  (i.'n.'ral.  lui  •iii«l 
Vicc-l'n'sidciii  (u'lu'ral.  iiii  S.ci.tairc  driu'ia!.  un  TnVoiicr 
(It'iH'ral.  uii  a-sistaiit-Sccn'tairc  (It'iit'ral.  un  Mt'drciii-cii-cliff, 
un  Icr  MHlcciii-t'Xamiiiatiur.  deux  Anditcuiv  ft  dnix  Com- 
missain's-()rd(.iiiialcin>.  Toutrfois.  il  est  loisihlc  aiix  Dirci-tours 
df  {'lioisir  Ic  Sccivtairc  ( it'iuM-al.  Ic  Tn'soricr  ( It'iu'raljc  Mrd^'cin- 
cn-clict' ct  Ic  Icr  Mfdccin-fxaiiiinatcui'.  soil  paniii  Ics  Dircctcurs 
elus,  w(»it  en  dehors  rlu  iJurciiu  ili'  ilir^'ctioii  ;  dans  cc dernier  cas, 
ces  otliciers  ne  font  pas  [)artic  ilu  IWircau  dc  direction,  sauf  le 
Secretaire  (Jencral.  A  coini)ter  dii  niois  dc  tVvricr  mil  liiiit  cent 
<iu;itrc-vin,u;t-dix-liuit,  les  Connnissaires-Onlonnateur.s  sont  tou- 
jcnuv  choisis  en  dehors  (hi  Bureau  dc  (hrection. 

Lii  duree  or(Hnairc  (h-s  foiictioiis  dcs  olVieicrs  est  ih'  (U'ux  iins. 
('cpciiilant,  !c  Ihircau  <lc  direction  pcut  lixcrla  «hiree  (U'S  I'onc- 
tions  du  Secretaire  (i el H> rah  dc  rassistant-Seerctaire  (u'neral.  (hi 
Mc(h'ein-cn-chcf  ct  thi  h'r  M  ■■(h'cin-cxaiiiinat.'ur.  lcs(|Ucls  olli- 
eiers  ix/uvcnt  ctrc  cnL;a^('s  pour  unc  p('i'io(h'  plus  lon,u;ue  <|Uc 
cclle  lucntioniU'c  ci-drssus.  loisinie  Ic  lUircau  dc  direction  eroit 
(pril    est  dans   Tint '■i\M  dc  I'as,,)  •utioii  d"cn  a;j,ir  ainsi. 

Les  dircctcurs  rcstcnt  en  fonction>  jus  ju"a  la  session  ri'milierc 
du  C'onseil  (M'lK'ral  i|ui  suit  Icur  noniiiiation. 

Ccpendant,  si.  par  suite  d"ai)S('iic"  d'iiicapacitt'  naturdle  ct 
h'^ale,  ou  (h'  refus  d'au'ir.  dc  in  iiivais  ■  coiiduitc.  ct  pour  toute 
autre  cause  ju^'ee  suih-aiitc  par  le  iiiircau  dc  direction,  un  direc- 
tc'ir  ou  un  ollieicr  ne  rcmplit  pas  Ics  dc\'oirs  dc  ,-a  charge  a  la 
satisfaction  du  Hiireau  dc  direction,  cc  dernier  pent  lui  iioninicr 
un  reinpla(;ant.  La  nu'^nic  chose  .-e  pratiipic  cii  tout  tciiip.-.  lors- 
(lu'un  directcur  ou  un  oili(.-ier  doniic  sa  (h'liiission. 


\jv  Ihuvi 

a.iseiuhlt'i 

et,  a  com 

(h-  deux 

i.e   Ihi 

niemhres' 

Lu  Hti 

lion  et  (I 

charges ( 

pL'ction  ( 

associati 

Ces  in 

droit  an 

d'organi 

Ccs  if 

leur  C'tn 

nisation 

tion. 

La  c( 
plaisir  i 
de  diret 

Art. 

un  (pio 

Art. 

du    I'.u 

les  ro,j;l 

(piestic 

cepend 

vote  a( 

verser. 

taire  C 

paieiin 

Caisse 

les  chi 

Le  ] 


:\ri 


\a'  liurciiu  .lu  (linrtion.'st  ciituTi-mnit  rciiniivlr  u  la  pici.iU'ir 
a^M-mh\vv.  Vi'iiwWhre  d\\  ("onsi-il  (liMu-raKtcmu"  !«■  1<S  f.'vricr  1S'.)'.», 
c-t,  u  c-ompUT  (le  co  jour,  lu  aiircedes  t'oiictious  ties  diroctour.s  est 

(If  (k'ux  tins. 

Ll'  Bureiiu  de  diivrtion  a   !.■    <lr..it    dr    iionimcr   autaut   .le 

mcml.res  honoraires  <iu'il  1"  jv»Ji''  ii  piopos. 

Le  Bureau  de  diivrlioiu  .le  eDUcert  avec  W  eonnt.Mr.>i--;i,usa- 
tioii  et  de  lejrislatu.u,  a  K-  .Iroit  .1.'  nomiu-r  .les  msperteurs 
charges  de  faire,  sous  la  .Unrtiou  du  Seen'taire  General  I  ms- 
p.cti.>n  des  l)ureaux  de  perceptio)i  et  d.'S  suceursales  de  la   dite 

association.  .      . 

Ces  iuspeeteurs  pt'uvent  el,v  .:ii  ir-.'s  .1.  r..r^anisation,  .-t  out 
droit  aux  L'nHdunieuts  .pu^  1.-  Bureau  .1.,'  dire.'tion.  ..u  1.'  counte 
d'..r.^anisati..n  et  de  legislali.M,,  pent  attril.uer  a  leurs  toneti..n.. 
Ces  insp.-eteurs  reuipliss.nt  aussi  t..us  l.'s  .levoirs.pu  peuvent 
leur  etre  assigues  par  le  Bureau  .le  dir.-.ai.m,  le  e.,mite  d  orga- 
nisation et  de  legislati.>n.  ..u  le  Secretaire  Gen..ral  de   I  as.oeia- 

''' La  e..nnnission  des  inspeet..urs  est  revoeahle  suiv:mt  le  l.on 
phisir  .lu  e.,.nit6  d'..rgar.isation  et  .le  legislation  ou  du  bur.,-au 
de  direction. 

Art.  85-  Cin.i  ni.>n>l.res  .lu  liureau  de  direction  eonstituent 
un  .pionun  pour  rexp.Mlitiou  d.'s  ali'aires. 

Art    86-Le  I'lvsid.'ut  Gen.-ral  preside  t.)utes    les  reunions 
au    Uureau  .le  .lirection.  n.ainti..nt  le  hon  .mlreet  fait  observer 
lesre,lenientsderassociati.>n.    C'est  lui    ,ui    .leeide  toutes   les 
,,uesti..ns  d'ordre  et  .1' usag.-  -lui  sunt  s.,ulevees:  sa   deeis...n  ..t, 
oe,H.ndant,suietteaapp.l.l.-vantleBureu..    nrus  >1    taut   un 
;X  a.lve.e  .les  .leux  tiers  .les  u.end>res    presents  pour  h^  ren- 
verser    L.  President  G^'ueral  sign.-.  c..njointe,n..ut  ay.r  le^ee,.- 
•ure  General,  tons  le^  uKUulats  sur  leT.vsorier  (-.neral.  pour   e 
Xnent  d'aneun  argent  provenaut  .lu  Funds  .  .•  ^ecou...  d,.  la 
S^.edeDotati.>nou.lulH>n.ls(u.u.a!     lld..U=^s.^^ 
U.S  cheques,  c.njointe.uent  avee  ces  .l.-ux  d..rn.er.  ..thcu>.>. 
I.  ;  esic  cut  general  se  fait  representer  aupres  d..    n.end.es 


;l(; 


p.ir  il 'ux  ri':>iv'-!"iit  I'lts  i);M\-In 'iaux  ct.  I'li  outr,'.  \k\v  mi  n'jtro- 
i^ciitaiit  ])()ur  chacuii  ilcs  (li():'rs<'s  ilu  Canada  ti'ar.rais.  Ocs 
oiHtiiers  cxciXH'iit  Icurs  poiivoirs  cii  \'ciiu  (ruiu'  comini.-  :oii  du 
Pi'i'sidcnt  (u'lu'i'al.  rcvrtuc  du  sccaii  dc  i'association.  Lcs  rci)r('- 
scii+ants  du  Pivsident  (ii'aK'ral,  dans  !<■>  liinitcs  d^' Icur  tcn'itoii'c 
rcspt'ctit',  sont  Ics  niandataii'i-  du  I'l'i  sidcut  (iiii('ral;  ils  sont 
Houinis  a  Tautoritt'  du  liui'cau  iU-  dii'cctidn  ct  du  Piv'sidcnt 
(nan'ral  ;  ils  survcillcnt  ct  |ir<'c(»niscnt  activcniciit  Ics  intt'rctsdc 
rassDi'iation  ;  ils  tout,  dc  dfoit.  partic  d\\  Consci!  (Jcucval, 
jx'ndant  tout  Ic  temps  (pic  Iciw  ciumnission  est  cii  forei  ;  eniin, 
ils  ddivent  r<'niplir  tous  Ics  devoirs  (pic  Ics  rc.;lcmcnls  leur 
attriluicnl  ct(|Uc  Ic  President  (i(''neral  ou  le  P>urcau  dc  diiXH^tion 
leur  imiiosc.  L  i  eoni;nission  d  •  Rcpr('si'ntant  du  President  (Je- 
ueral  est  toujours  rev()cal)l(;  suiv.mt  le  l)on  {)laisir  du  President 
Cn'm'ral.  I/i  nomination  des  rei)resentants  du  Pi'('sident  (ieUi'ml 
est  ordinairenient  faite  par  ee  dernier,  imtnt'diatement  aj)res 
I'eleetion  des  oflieiers  du  lUireau  dc  direction.  Le  Pn'sident  CJe- 
neral  u'a,  eependant.  aueunc  reiile  a  sui\  re  a  ee  sujet. 

Art.  87 — Le  ler  Viec-Prcsident  (it'neral.  a  (K'faut  du  Presi- 
dent (ienci'al,  i>residc  ct  exercc.  dans  tons  les  eas,  tons  les 
pou\'oii's  ct  privil(''ges  dc  ee  dci'nici'. 

Art.  88— Le'ind  N'iec-I^n'sident  (W'nrral.  icmplit,  en  i'al)- 
sence  du  lei-  \'iec-Pi'('-sidcnt  (n'ncral.  les  devoirs  du  Pi'esidcnt 
Cien(.'ral  dc  la  meim'  manicr(>  ct  avec  les  m.'aucs  p  »uvoirs  (jue  U; 
ler  Viee-l*i'csidcnt  (leiieral. 

Art.  89 — liC  Secri'taire  (li'iui-al  eur('ui>tre  les  dclilx'rations. 
aux  asscinl)l('es  du  Pureau  dc  direction,  il  notilic  les  candidats 
dc  leur  admission  on  dc  leur  rejet.  ct  il  em'(''iisti'c  ('u-alcmcnt 
tons  lt>ra[)ports  prescnti's  ci  acccptt's  :  il  wr  )it  t:)Us  les  deniers 
.dc  Tassoeiation  ct  les  I'cmct  clia(pic  jour  an  Tn'-oiMcr  (iiau'ral. 
par  «pii  il  se  fait  donner  un  rc(;u.  11  tieiit  un  compte  complet  ct 
exact  des  operations  (inanei("'res  transiuccs  cntre  I'association  ct 
ses  niemhres  ;  cnlin.  il  rcm|)lit  tds  autres  devoir.- (pi'il  plait  au 
Pureau  dc  direction  de  lui  dieter.  11  c,-i,  dc  droit,  insiu'cteur 
;j;cnt'ra!   dc   Tassoeiat ion. 


on  le 


87 

11  (!■  it  fi)uriiir  Ic  cuitiomuMiicnl  dr  <i;;ir;iutic  nui'  \v  lUuvaii  di' 
(liiv/ti(»n  juge  salisfaisant.  :\  sa  discretion,  niais  ce  cautionnc- 
iiu'iit  lU!  pent  etre  pour  luoins  dc  deux  niillc  dollars.  II  lui  est 
tcuu  coiupte  de^  frais  occasioiiiu's  ]>iir  rohtcntioii  du  cautionne- 
ineiit  luentioniu-  ci-haut.  11  doit  niissi  si.uniT,  conjointeiuent 
avcc  le  Pre.sideiit  General,  les  niaudats  sur  le  Tresoricr  Genenil ; 
ildoit,  de  plus,  signer  les  chwiuc^s,  eonjointenient  avee  Ic  Presi- 
dent General  et  le  Tresorier  General.  U  doit  t'aire  un  rapport 
annuel  concernant  radnnnistration  et  ce,  d'apres  les  indications 
et  au  temps  lixe  par  le  Bureau  de  direction  de  I'association. 

II  doit  encore  couserver  dans  les  archives  de  I'association  une 
copie  de  chacun  des  rapports  annuels,  et  ce,  a  conii)ter  du  mois 
de  tevrier  mil  liuit  cent  (juatre-vingt-seize. 

Le    Secretaire   Cieneral  est,  de  droit,    Secretaire    du    Comite 
d" organisation  et  de  legislation  et  gretlier  du  Conseil  General. 
Le  slicretaircaieneral  a  le   droit   de  se  faire  remi.lacer   par  un 
assi.stant-secretaire  general   choisi    par    lui;   mais   le  clioix    de 
rassistant-.secretaire  doit  etrc  ratitie  pi'r  le  Bureau  de  direction, 
i; assistant-secretaire  general  aiusi  nonnne,  a.  en    I'absence   du 
Secretaire  General,  tons  les  pouvoirsconieres  a  ce  dernier   (pii 
est,  vis-a-vis  I'association,  responsable  d-s  actes  de  I'assistant. 
i; assistant-secretaire  genc'ral  etant   s.)us    la    responsabilite   du 
Secretaire  CJeneral,  petit  etre,  en    tout   temps,    destitue    de   ses 
fonctions  par  C'Mlernier,  mais.  la  nomination  du  successeur   de 
r assistant-secretaire  general  doit   etre  raliliee  par  le  Bureau  de 
direction. 

Art.  90— Be  Tn'soricr  ( leiu'ral  a  la  charge  de  tons  les  deniers 
,U.  L'l'nion  Franco-Canadimne.  11  doit  lesj.lacer  conformement 
uux  instructions  du  liurcau  .le  direction  ct  du  connte  d'organi- 
sation  et  de  leLrislation.  scion  les  rc'glenu'Utsde  cette  a.ssociation. 
II  uv  pent  se  departir  dv^  t'onds  que  sur  un  mandat  signe  ].ar  le 
j'n'sident  General,  .'t,  a  defaut  du  Presi.lent  (u'neral.  par  le  ler 
on  le  -in.l  vice-president  general,  conjointmicnt  avec  le  Secre- 
tair."  General,  ou,  en  rahscnce  de  <r  dernier,    Tassistant-secre- 

taire  general.  •,/.''!. 

II  rond  cmipte,  a  cluuiue  assemhlee  du   C  onsed  (.eueral,    et 


.)0 


acconinlissement  do  s.s  devoirs.  C'caut.onneu.eut  estsc  nbUble 
a  celui  duSecraaii-e  G6.ieml.  et  il  hu  e.t  tenu  conipte  des  frais 
occasionnes  par  I'obteution  de  td  cautionnenuMU.       _   ^  ^ 

II  doit  aussi  .igaer  le^  cheques  del' association,  conjomtement 
avec  le  President  General,  et  le  Secretaire  General. 

Le  Tres.)rier  General  a  le  droit  de  deposer   en  tideiconnrns  a 
une  bamiue  approuvee  parle  connte  des  iinance.,   un  montan 
ne  pouvant  exceder  6500.00,  alin  de  payer  les  coniptes  le.  plu. 
pressants,  san.  avoir  recour.  aux  forn.alites  ci-des.us.     . 

Art.   91-Le    Secretaire   General    est,   de    droit,   inspecteur 

general. 

Art.  92-Le  Mcderin-en-cliefd..it  reviser  tons  les  certilicats 

d'exaiiiens  niedicaux  des  aspirants  et  faire  rapport,  par  ecrit,  a 
chaque  asseuiblee  du  connte  pour  Tadn-issinn  .t  la  n'integnitimi 
des  menibres.  II  re.-it.  p.-ur  ses  services,  les  honoraires  tixes 
par  le  Bureau  de  direction. 

Art.  93-rA'  ler  Mcdecin-Exaniinatcur  est.  d'otlice,  visitcair 
des  niembres  nialades  denicurant  en  la  cite  de  Montreal  ;  il 
reuipUt  les  autres  devoirs  (iiii  lui  s out  imposes  par  le  Bureau  de 

direction. 

Art.  94— Les  auditeurs  doivcnt.  dans  les  buit  prenners  jours 
de  chaque  mois.  reviser  les  livres  du  Secretaire  General  et  du 
Tresorier  General,  et  fain- rapport  a  rassenil)lee  mensuelle  du 
Bureau  de  direction,  lis  nc  p<-'uvent  laire  partie  du   Bureau  de 

direction. 

Art.  95--Les  roiuniissain-Ordonuatrurs  uidcnl  \r  Prcsi- 
a-'nt  (General  a  fairc  ..bsrrvcr  le  bon  or.hv  durant  les  assemblers 
,luL\,nscil  General.  v[  rcuiplis.nU  lous  les  drvoirs  impost's  par 
le  Bureau  de  direction. 

Art.  96— l-e  r.urrau  dr  diriM'tion  a  \v  droit  de  noinuicr, 
partoul  ou  il  le  jimv  .i  propo..  d>-.^  visitnus.  nicdecins  ou  non, 
dont  les  fonctions  -oni  : 

p    [)v  visiter  lc<  nial.idcs  d.uis  le  lc,-ritoirc  d.'signe   i)ar    le 

Bureau  de  direction  : 


■)0 


;u) 


lele 
ible 


L'lllS 


lent 


IS  a 
taut 
jlus 


teur 


Lcats 

it,  a 
ition 
fixes 


itcur 
1;  il 


u  da 


JOUfS 

't  (lu 
e  (lu 
lU  (le 


'ivsi- 
iblei'S 


l>;U' 


line 


noil. 


i;ir     IL' 


i 


■)°    l)i'  faire,  cIkuHU:  <riuaiiu\   l 
(I'S  Finances. 


\\\  rapport  par  rerit   au  Coniiti' 


^j-t.  97 — lii'S  services  <lcs  nicni 


Wivs  (hi  lUircaii  de  'lirectioiu 


eoninie  t( 


ls,sont  m-atuits.  Cepciidani.  ccux  ihi  Pivsidcut  Ci(^'nenil, 


(hi  Icr  Vice-l'n'-sidcnt  (n'iu''ral  du  Seer 


■taire  iJeiu'ral.  (hiTix-so- 


rier  (li'Mieni 


I  (hi  1 


)rcinier 


>h'(lccin-Exaniinatciir,  (hi  M('(lecin-en- 


•hef.    et  des  Auditeurs,  pcuvcnt  (''trc  Tolget  d'une  n 
d(^'terniiiK'e  par  le  r)Ur(iai 


1  dc  (hrcctiou. 


■niuneratiou 


hi 


Art.  98— l/<"''h'e  (hi    jour    des    asseniltlciis    n'^ulirrcs    ( 
Ihircau  de  (hrection  eoniimrle  (hahord   lecture  et   adoption  (hi 


nroccs 


verhal  de    la   [ 


)rcec( 


lent 


c  assenin 


It'e   rciiuhvrc,   amsi  (pie 


des  assenihlt'^es  spcciales  <\ 


Ics  (pii  out  pu  avoir  lieu  depuis  lors  ;  di 


plus,  lecture  et  adoption  du  pnutcs  vei 
t('s  ([ui  out  si('g 


;l)al  des  seances  des  eoiui- 


t  si(V=  dei)uis  la  dernii'rc  asscnil)l(:-e  n'gulii'i 


Puis  on  (It'libere  sur 
I'assoeiiition. 

Art.  99  -  Lesasseiu 


toutes    les    autrcs     alYaires     intcr(,'ssant 


hlr'S  n'liulii'res  (hi    Uurcau  dc  direction 


oat  lieu  au  jour  ( 


,t  a  l"lie'ire  ^U-'  d'.'t-r.uiu  •  h'  1 


Uireau  ( 


le   d 


irec- 


tion,    niai.s 
Cci)eiuliiut, 


il    u"  V    a    (pi  line    asseiunuu 


iv,u-uueie    par     luoi 


le  l>r(:-sident   G(:-ueial   a   le  dn>it  d<'  couvo-nier  des 


assein 


hk'es  spt'cialcsdu  lUircau  ( 


le  direction  aussi  souvcnt  (pi  i 


1 


lejuge  a  pro) 


)OS. 


Art.  100— he  l>ii'"'';» 


u   I 


le  direction  a 


tartout  ou  1 


le  droit  dc    noinnier, 
fair( 


1  le,iu-va  propos.  des  pereepleurs  cliarues    .le 


oereei* 


tion  des  droits  il  i 


■nt; 


't  des  contributions  luensiielle 


La  connnission  accort 


S( 


)i    il  ecu 


h'c  a  CCS  perc-ptcurs  ne  pent  jaiuai 

t  (4%.  ) 


del 


s  itelias- 


r  ([uatre  \ 

Cepeiidant.  le  liureau  de  direction  a 

pereepteiirs.  en  ou 
soiuuie  de  sept  c>'ntins  \ 
leiirs  rapports  iucusik 


tre  de  la  connuis-ion  ci 


1,.  droit  (Taccoider  aux 
-ilessus  iiieiitionncc,    la 


)ar  i 


iiois  p  )A\' 


iTais   (renrc^-istrcincnt  ih 


Outre  la  pin'cep 


tion  des   droits  ircntrcc 


ei   ( 


les   CO 


ntrihutiou:- 


nicnsui 


lies,  le  Bureau 


,1,.  direction  luait   e,»n 


(•r-  r 


a   CCS  pereep- 


teiirs certains  poiivoirs    (pi  i 


1    ju-c  expedients  ;   il    peut  aussi 


•xiu'ci'  d'cux  un  <'ai 


tionneinent  vidahle 


I 


CHAIMTIJK  XII 
Comites 

Art.  101— II  <'st  (liMlcvoirdu  Huivini  dc  .liivction.  ininu'- 
diatcnuM.t  npivs  ri'Urlioii  drs  (.llicirrs,  ,1"  iiistitucr  trois  c-on.ites, 
composes  cl.acnu  <lr  cin.i  nR'iul)irs  el  p:)uvant  .lelilu'rer  vahil)le- 
nieiit  avce  nii  <iU()riiiu  de  trois. 

CKS  COMITKS  SOXT  LKS  Sl'lVAXTS  : 

1°    Le  coiiiite  (les  Hnances  ; 

•2°  Le  coniiU'  i>our  radniissiou  et  la  ivintegratiou  des 
nu'Dibres  ; 

•r\°   Le  coinite  d'eiuiuetes. 

Art.  102— L<'  coniite  dcs  tinauces  est  eluirge  d' examiner 
tons  les  eomptes  pivsentes,  et.  lorsiin'ily  a,  lieu,  (ren  autoriser 
lepaiement,  aunom  du  Bureau  de  direetion.  II  s\)ecu[)e  aussi 
de  toute  (iV-.-tion  eoneernant  ies  tinanees  de  I'assoeiation.  excep- 
te  le  Ponds  d'oriranisation.  (pii  doit  etre  adnnnislre  par  un 
comite  special  appele  ''Comite  d'or-anisation  et  de  legislation". 

Art.  103 1^1'  eoniite   pour   radmission   et   la   reintegration 

des  inend)res  est  charge  de  ]»rendre  en  consideration.  rhiu\\w 
semaine.  le  rai)port  fait  i  ar  le  Medecin-en-chet'sur  Ies  deniandcs 
d'admissiondeseandidats  ,4  <ra<lniettre  delinitivenient.  sMl  y  a 
lieu.  CCS  eandidats  connue  nienil>res  de  I'assoeiation.  II  est 
aussi  charge  de  prendre  en  eonsidrration  tout  rai)port  .pii  pent 
etre  fait  par  leSecretain' (ieneral.  an  sujet  de  la  reintegration 
des  niemhres  raves  on  suspeiidus,  et  (rautoris^r.  s'il  y  a  lieu, 
cette  reintegration.  . 

Art.  104 I.c  comitr  d"en(iU(Mes  prend  en    consideration  Ies 

questions  (jui  lid  sont  soumises.  et  decide  s"il  y  a  lieu  de  fairc 
faire  des  en(iuetes,  conforineinent  aux  reglenients  de  cette 
assoeiiition. 


Com 

Art.  : 

autres,  v 
i.'gislati( 

Cv.  Co 

l'^  M 
2°  1) 

.>o     1) 

o      1  . 

4°  C 

5°  D 
G°   L 

S^    1 

Cc  n 
d'orgai 

Art 

])  '  de 
1°. 

Canad 
2°. 

des  ni 

.)0 

.)    . 

ral  en 
tion; 

4°. 

r.e 

d'aut 

gimis 

Le 


41 


lies 


CIlAriTllK  XI 11 
Comite  Special  d' Organisation  et  de  Legislation 

Art  105-1/ l^>^i«»>  Fmnco-Canaairnnr  coininvn.l,  vuivv 
aut.vs;  un  <-o,nit^  special,  apicl^  -ConnU^  .U organisation  .i  Jc 
ijgislation." 

Ci' Comite  se  (•cnnposc  coninir  suit  : 

lo   y^yi  (;U8TAVE   I.AMOTlIlv  avo.at.  C  U.  Montmil  ; 

2°  1)1-  J.  I.  DESllOtniES,  Montival  ; 

t>o   p    V    AYOTTK,  lil)vaiiv-('<litrur.  l^-ois-llivic'res  ; 

4°  c'.  J.MAGNAN,  i)rofessriir  rt  |ml.licislc,  (iiu'^'fc  ; 

5°  Di-'s.  ROrCUER.  Monti-oal;  .,,-,. 

(;°   L   Ci    UOIULLARI),  ex-insiKrtrur.l.roU'S    Montmil, 

7°    r  M.  A.    DEXAUI/r,  L.  L.  !'>-,  publicisU.,  M.Hitmil  ; 

S^  Wr.].  (lAl'VUKAU,  Uinuniski  ; 

cjo    V     V    MONDOU,  N.  R.StThouias.U   lV;ivvilie. 

Cc  noinlm.  i>.ut  etr.  p  >rt^  a  aou..,  a  la  .liscivtiou  .lu  Coniit^ 

a'or.-anisation  rt  de  leiiislation. 

Art.  106-1-  Co.nit.^  cV o.-anisatiou  rt  .1.  legislation  sNuvu-      . 
pMlMoutrsU'S  qurstionsronrrnia.it: 

'  1       ^    f.nvi' (Ml     avcur    u<'    i'  i  nioii     i  i.ono 

1°    La   i)ropa,u-aiiil«'    a    tain  (n    mn*  > 

■  I      '    •  ,     ,     ,,,,l)li,.iu'  rl  ( Cs  contcrcncc^  , 

^^-r'';::;:;;::;:;;:;;;:;,;':..:':'::!;;::..; -■- - - 


ral  en  anu 

sa  iviiic  intcnir,  y  conipris  1* 


K.  rhoix  .Ic  S'S  olliririv.   etc 


r    droll 
or- 


'-:ri;,.::M,....i-.......:.va...--::;;;;.r;:;:i 


?1 


Usi..i'iiil.n'.-a.-«'<^>»"l' 


42 


(•()iiM'(iucimiicnt.  vWr  iviiipliuvs  ([Uc  dims  Ics  ens  suivant>  : 
1°   An  ("i^  (!<■  il(''C('s  ; 
2°   An  ens  dc  radintioii  d.-  In  listr  dr^  lucniUri'S  pour  (iucl<iiU' 

cniisc  (i»K'  (•('  soit  ; 

'A°   All  cas  dc  d(' mission  ; 

4°  All  cas  oil,  par  suite  d'al)st('ntions  ivitoivcs  ct  sans  motifs 
plaiisil)lcs,  (rincapaciti'  nnturcllo  ou  ]i'\ii\\v.  dc  refus  d'aK'ii-dans 
la  nicsurc  di- scs  attributions,  df  conduitc;  l.lamaldc  et  pouvant 
pivjudicicr  a  I'assofiation,  ou  pour  toute  autre  cause  jugee 
sutlisante  par  le  C'omite.  im  meinl)re  {.oiirrait  etre  remplaee 
d'offiee,  a  hi  majorite  dcs  deux  tiers  desmeml)res  presents  a  une 
asseml)lee  reguliereiueiit  eonvo(iiiee.  * 

Toute  vacanee  (jui  viendrait  a  se  produire,  au  Comite  d'orga- 
ui.sation  et  de  legislation,  dans  les  eireonstances  susdites,  ne 
pent  etre  remplie  (pie  par  le  Comite  lui-meme. 

LeC'omite  d'organisation  et  de  legi^l-'ition  pent  eonferer  a  un 
sous-eomite,  au  (pioriim  de  trois  membres,  I'entier  exercice  de 
tuus  ses  droits  et  pouvoirs. 


CIIAPITRK  XIV 
Assemblees  des  Comit^s 

Art.  107 — r^t'  eomite  des  tinanei'S  et  le  comite  pour  I'admis- 
sion  et  li«  reintegration  des  membres  doivent  s'assembler  au 
nioins  une  fois  [)ar  stituaine.  a  riieiire  et  au  jour  fixes  par  la 
la  majorite  des  membres  de  cliacun  des  dits  comites. 

Quant  aux  autres  comites,  ils  s"asseniblent  lorsipie  le  besoiu 
s'en  fait  seiitir,  sur  convocation  du  president  dv  chacun  des  dits 

comites. 

Pour  «e  (jui  conceriie  le  (Somite  (r>organisati<>n  et  de  legisla- 
tion, il  siege  regulieremeiit  une  fois  tousles  deux  ans,  immedia- 
tement  apres  la  cloture  de  la  session  reguliere  du  Conseil  (leiie- 
ral.  Dans  le  cas  (rassemblee  s[)eciale  du  Conseil  (u'neral,  ce 
comite  est  aussi  specialement  convoiiue,  pour  sieger  a  la  suite  de 
toutcs  telles  assemblees. 


L'  C.».ii 
eo;i\o  pU' 

\jV  sous 
bier  niissi 
coMipeteli' 


Di&;:!OS 


Art.  1 

mil  buit 
de  St'cou 
(rOrgani 

Art.  : 

1°  To 

aiTrre'.lte 
vent  etn 
eette  Ca- 
des eont 
tnires  p 
mai  IS*! 

■r  1. 


;r 


(licune 
Art. 

Si'COUr; 


eette  C; 
Art. 

r  '1 

ali'ert'ii 

.JO      1 

;r   1 
dieiini 


1   ,  r>.pt>'   .rormnUUion  rt   .1.-  l,'-Ulaliou     ).  ■ut   auss,    cUc 
,,U,,,ussisouv..utMU.'r^'xi^^'   1'    U'an^a.lion   .l.s  athuivs  .Ic  sa 

(■olllprU'lK'C. 


CliAnTUKXV 

Dis-oositions    een.ralcs    concernant    les    finances    de 

r  Association 

Art.  108-Toutl=n.,cM,tn.vua..i..a.o:ui>U.r.lu    h.  j^ulM 

do  S(_'c<»ui's  ou  (  ai>M'  (U'^  .Maia(u  ^,  i.i 
.rOiL^anisation  ct  !«'  Fonds  (u'lu'val. 

Art    109— 1a-  FoihIs  dr  Scn.urs  cominviul  : 

.dT..HsU.s  :m.4U- caiss.  nuMUs  Muin..-cvntu>s  par  UHM.  quMl.^- 
ss..  avant  1.2^  n,ai  1S.S.    H    tout    lar,..   pn.v.-nant 
,d,..s   ,n,,...V  oHunu-   nu.nhn.   d.   1  a^.K..at,uu   apu.   U    -. 

•>"    1,..  inU'.vtsarcu.uulrssurlr.ht  l^-nd.  , 

:;o    1,,,  dons  ,ui  p.'uv.nt   (■t.vfait.  a    I/lu.on   I  rann 


i)-("ana- 


<li(.nn(Tn  iavrnrdiM'ctlcraisx'. 

Art    110-Au.un  ar,.nt  n.  prut  C-fv   diM.ait    du    Fonds  d. 
S.!^l   'f..  n^.t  p.nu-  n.nu.ln.  U.  ol.l,.atu,ns  .ontn.^^^^^^ 

cfttc  Caissc. 

Art    m-Fa  C'ais-rdr  Dotation  coinpivnd  : 

r  Tmit    rar,.nt    prou-nant    d..    .ontrilamons     tn.usu.lK> 
all'riviitfs  a  (H'ttc  caissr  ;  ,     ,.    ,      i    . 

^"  I.- '■"•-^'■^'-"■'■""'"'- ::;:■;;:'"';;  rni,,,,F.n,.M.,,a. 

•;°    Fes  dous  .pii  pi'Uvrnt  vUv    tail,    a 
,li,,„„,,nfav.tirde  la  Cai.srd.  Dotation. 


4-1 


Art.  112 -AuiMM  ar,-' '11^  in' pi-tit  T'tn' .listnit  dii  F,)ii  Is  dc  l;i 
(y'lissc  (Ic  l))t;ili(>ii.  sice  n'cst  poiu'  iMicniitrcf  Ics  ohlijiatioiis 
CDiitrnctrM'S  ]i;ii'  ccttr  Ciissc. 

Art.  113 — Nniii>l(>tanl  cc  (|iii  rst  <lit  dans  rarticlc  ci-dcssiis. 
il  est  inciisiicllciiit'iit  ilt'(liiit  du  t'(iiid>d('  la  Caissc  dc  Dotation 
nil  niontant  (|ni.  ajouti' a  tonics  Ics  somnics  atT/'i'ditcs  an  Konds 
(n'ncral  I'onnc  niir  soniiiic  dc  viiiLit-cin(|  ccntins  par,  luois 
(levant  cti'c  |»:)i'tcc  a  ccttc  dcrnici'c  ciissc  ponrchacnn  dcs  incin- 
l)rcs  en  rc,ulc  avcc  rassociation.  i4  c'.  pour  Icnir  lit-n  {\(ii<  nion- 
tant.s  (|U(;  \v^  ivgUnncnts  antoi'isaicnt  a  dcdnirc  untcricnrcincnl 
des  contrihutions  ])ayc(s  pour  la  Caissc  dc  Dotation  dans 
L' Union  Fraiico-C'anadicnnc,  avant  Ic  tjuin/c  t't-vrier  mil  iiuit 
cent  (luatrc-vintft-dix-liuit. 

Art.   114  — r.(!  Fonds  (roryanisation  c()ini)rcnd  : 

1°  Tout  r argent  ])!•() vena nt  dcs  retributions  aiinncllcsct  scnii- 
unnuelles  payables  ])ar  les  mcmlircs  de  ccttc  association, 
(;onfornienient  aux  regicnicnts  dc  l/rnion  Fianco-Canadieiine  ; 

2''  Tout  Targciit  provcnant  dcs  droits  (rcntrce  ; 

3°   Les  interets  accrus  sur  Ic  dit  for.ds  ; 

4°  lies  don.s  (|ui  jtcuvcnt  etre  faits  a  L'Cnion  Fnmeo-Cana- 
diennc  en  faveur  du  Fonds  d'organisation  ; 

0°  Les  fonds  i)rovcnant  dc-;  contributions  an  Fonds  de 
Seeours  et,  a  la  Caissc  de  Dotation,  paw's  par  les  incmhrcs  pour 
les  premiers  mois  de  societariat,  cont'ormement  a  Tartich;  120 
des  presents  reglements. 

Art.  115 — Lc  Comite  d'oi'g.uiisation  tt  <lc  legislation  a  s<'ul 
le  droit  de  disposer  de  ees  dcrnicrs  fonds.  (pii  doivent  scrvir  ; 

1°  An  i)aiement  des  inspecteurs  et  organisati'urs  de  Tasso- 
eiation  ; 

2°  A  la  propagandc  de  I'associatioii.  an  moven  de  la  [)ul)li(a- 
te  et  des  conferences  ; 

o°  Au  d«'Vclo])i)cuicnl  dc  rcducation  morale  et  intcllecttelle 
»lcs  memhres  dc  r/Cnion  Franco-Canadienne  ; 

4°  Au  i)aienient  de  la  luoitie  dcs  depcnscs  du  bureau,  y 
eompris  loyer,  salairc  dvr>  ein[)loy,\s,  timhres-poste,  etc. 


hiiit 


a^'so- 


^ 


45 


V\vu\\:  tnis.i.ril  v  a  un  rxc'.lant  .lins  \r  f..n.ls  d'oi-anisa- 
ti„n  1.'  comity  ,l'.,r<riui.ati()ii  et  .l(>  Ir-islati.m  a  h-  .Ir-.it  .Ic 
trmsfurcr,  a  sa  .liscretioii,  au  Foivls  dr  Sec-.,urs.  a  la  Caisse  .1.^ 
Dotation  ouau  F<m.l.  (ieuoml,  lout  le  surplus  ou  uu''  partic 
si'ulenu'Ut  de  ce  suri)lus. 

Art.  116— lit'  Foiuls  (uau'ral  conipron  1  ; 

1°    UuosouinuMlc   vin-t-rin-i   ci-utiiis   pir    ni..is   drvaut  rtre 
l.:iy^(%  p:)urcctLe  caissu.    par   Ics  so.a6t.urus  de  la  suction   dus 

t'eninu's  ;  .    v    .  ' 

•)°    Uiu'S()iniu.'d('V!u,^t-('in'i  cciitins  par  uiois  a  etn-  i>ayee, 

pour  cett.  caiss.,  par  Us   .uaul.r,.s   d.   la  sectio.i  ,les   h  .uunes 

iuscrits  a  la  Caissede  1)  .tati  >u  s.uk',  du  15  !{^vnvr  au  lerjuUlot 

1898;  .      ^,,    .       . 

8-   Uiios(.inau'd(".,uin/,('CL"iitiu^  par  nuns   deduite  di's  con- 

trihuti-.n.  alTercaitcs  au  Fouds    <1  ■    S.r.uis.    pour   I.s    nieud>res 

inscrits  a  vvUv  Caissc  avant  1(>  Icr  juilld   lSi)S  ; 

4°  Uiu' ^)uiU"(UMliK  .•^•utins  par  ni  .is  .pu"  doivont  payer 
nourcetto  edsse  les  UK-iubrrs  ins.rits  au.  d-aix  Ciisses.  d.  la 
l)otati.>n  et  .hi  Fon.ls  dc  S.cours.  .MiLn-  \v  .piiu/..  tevn.r  et  le 
ler  iuillet  mil  huitcuMit.iuatre-vin.^t-dix  liuit; 

50  S"il  V  a  lieu,  une  soaune  u.eusu.Ueai.ut  deduite  du  tonds 
de   la    Cds^"  de    Dolatioa,   e:)ut\.rni  ■nuMit    a  I'article    ll-J   des 

l)reseuts  reglemonts  ;  •  ,.. 

(',-  Enlin.  unesnuim.de  viugt-ciui  cnaitms  p.r  mo.s.  poui 
^,,t  ,,„lidat  propos^'  emnme  meml.re  de  L' Union  branco- 
Canadieiine  apr.V  le  ler  juillet  lSt)S. 

Art  117-  1a'  Foixls  (leneral  est  employe  a  .lefrayer  les 
a.H,vnses  encourues  par  T administration.  Cluuiue  fois  .pi  d  y  a 
,   ^.xeedant  .lans  ce  fonds,  sur  le  m  mtant  repus.  le   Bur..au  .le 

Dhvetion  a  le  pouv.)ir  .le  transferer,  a  sa  .lise.vtmn  a..  !•..>.< 
.1  Secours,auFonds.r.>r.ani.uion.>ualat::Usse.le  D.>tat.on, 
tout  le  surplus  .m  une  parti.  s.a.Uam.nt  de  .a.  surplus. 

Art.  118-l/ar...nt  est  .UlH.se  dans  nn..  on  plusUairs  l.an.pies 
i,,.,,,ore..s,  .l..nt  le  .W  est  fait  par  le  Bureau  de  duvetmn   et 

le  Coniite  d' organisation  et  .U'  legislation. 


-in 


I 


Art.  119  -  L  ■^  fn;i  Is  |M'liV('lit  rtl-i' ivtiivs  lies  li;ilr(llcs  ;l(ill 
(Ten  f;iii'c  uii  phii'cii'Ml  |»lus  :iv.mt;ii:i'ux,  soit  cii  pivt-  aiix  fa- 
lirii|ii('^.  MUX  (•■»:'|»')r  itii>;i~  r 'liu-ir  nrs,  atix  c  )i-|)')iMt-*i')ii<  muiiiri- 
l»alcs  oil  scolaii'cs.  on  <'ii  achats  (rohliualioiis  ('inis'.'S  p  ii-cvs  (•;)!■- 
]»')rati(iiis;  s(»it  iliii-  !«■  liut  !ran|!i'i'ir (!('■«  iinniviMi^s  pKiirvu  (jiic 
cil  ciiiploi  dr  t'oiids  ail  t't;'  in'ralaWlciuriit  api»r<mvi'  par  Ic  vote 
alliniiatit' lie  la  iiiajiii'itt' altsoliic  dcs  mciii!»rcs  du  iJiifraii  dc 
Dircrtioii.  (^rpciidant.  la  val  air  totalc  d^s  iiiuii"ii!)lcs  a-lictrs 
par  Ic  Hurcaii  dc  Dircrtioii.  au  iiom  ct  au  ca'cdit  dc  rassociatioii, 
lie  jxdirra  dcp  issia-  la  soiimic  dc  ciiii|  luillc  piasti^'s.  a  iiioins 
(|',ic  Ic  I>iircau  df  Direction  lie  soit  autorisc  a  depasscr  c(>tte 
soiuiiic,  par  till  vote  alliniiatii' lies  dciix  ti(a's  des  iiieiiilircs  pre- 
sent- a  line  asseiiil)lee  du  Con-eii  ( JtMn'ral.  eoiivoiiuec  (Tapres  Ics 
r.^'iilciiieiits  de  rassociatioii. 

Xouolistaiit  ee  (|ui  est  dit  ci-de-;si|s.  Ic  lUh'eiU  di^  Direction 
a,  lois((Ue  la  n'scrvi' dc  laCaissede  Dotation  aura  atteint  an 
iiioins  Ic  I'liiltVe  dc  vin'j;t-cinii  inille  piastres.  Ic  di'oit  d"a('lietMr 
{\i'^  inr.iicnlijcs  jir-ipra  conenrrciicc  de  viiiiit-cin(|  pour  cent  dc 
la  dite  reserve. 

Art.  120  —  Xonolistant  ee  (pii  est  dit  dans  les  articles  ei-des- 
siis.  les  ariceiits  pa ves  pour  Ic  Foiids  de  Secours.  dnrant  les  trois 
prcniiers  iiiois  dc  socii'tariat.  et  cetix  pay>'s  jiDur  la  Caisse  de 
Dotation  iluraiit  les  dou/c  ju'ciniers  niois.  par  cliaiam  i\cf^  nieiii- 
hres  adiiiis  dans  rassociatioii  a|)res  le  ler  jnillct  ISDS  vont  au 
Fonds  (roi'ii-anisatioii. 

Art.  121 — l.e  Hnrean  de  direction  a  le  droit  ih'  jiretcr  an 
coiiiiti' d"oriraiiisation.  sur  l)illet  siiiue  par  !e  presid"iit.  le  secri'- 
taire  et  le  t  i('.-ori erde  ee  eoniitt'.  uiiesoinnie  lie  ponvant.  a  eoiiip- 
ter  lie  cc  jour,  cxci'derdeux  iiiillc  piastres. 

i.e  iMircau  de  direction  a  an^:--i  le  ilroit  de  transferer  d"nne 
caisse  a  uiie  autre  nil  iiiontant  irexcedant  pas  deux  niille  pias- 
tres, si  ic  licsoiii  s'eii  fait  seiitir.  ])onr  faire  face  a  ccrtaiiics 
iiccessit('s  d"urij,ence. 

Les  I'loiitauts  ainsi  pret's  oii  ti-anferes  d'  nne  caisse  a  uiie  autre 
dcvr<»nt  etre  I'diiliourses  ilans  les  .">  ans,  avee  interet  dc  •")%. 


; 


Art.  ] 

iui;nil)rei' 
cte  adop 
ct  rati  fie: 
et  de  leg 


47 


CHAPITRE  XVI 
Mise  en  force  des  r^glements 

Art  122-I.('H  i.nsrnts  ivgU'iucnts  <,nt  force  de  loi,  pour  U'S 
,,,,„,l,rc«s  ae  L' Union  Fntno-Canadi 'nn.,  aU8.Uut  .lU  lis  ont 
a  ulopt^s  par  l'assc.nl,l^...lu  Cons.il  O^nerul  d.  I'assocna.on 
^t  ratifil  p.u-  l'assen.bl6o  sub.uqucnte  du  connte  d' organisation 
et  de  logislatitm. 


Art. 


(I 


Art. 


Art. 


(I 
II 
<i 
II 
II 
(I 


Art. 


II 


©ABLE    flNALY^IQUB. 


® 


Akt. 


Art. 


AUT. 


CH.  I 

1. — Noin  do  I'Associiitioii. 

2.— Constitution  de  LT.  F.-C. 

o. — lV)UV(jirH  dc  I'Associiition. 

4.— Du  sit'ge  dt'8  affiiiri'S  de  L'U.  F.-C. 

5.— Le  scoau  do  rAHS(tciuti(jn  ot  sa  devise. 

G.— Lo  patron  do  L'U.  F.-C. 

CH.   II. 

7. — IJut  do  ['Association. 

H. — Division  do  L'U.  F.-C.  on  donx  soctions. 

\K — Composition  do  la  soction  dos  hoinnu's. 

CH.   III. 

!(). — Conditions  d'adniission  on  la  soction  dos  lioninios. 

11. — Motifs  d'inadmissibilito. 

12. — Obligation  do  Toxamon  nuklical. 

13. — Dos  medocins-oxaniinatours. 

14. — CoCit  de  I'oxanion  medical. 

15. — A  qui  les  rapports  d'exaniens  doivont  otre  adressos. 

Hi. — Droits  d'entree. 


CH.  IV. 

Au'r.       17. — Proliminairos  de  I'admission. 

"        18. — Touvoir  du  coniito  pour  I'adnnssion. 
"        lit. — Cas  du  rojotd'un  candidal. 

"        20.— Subdivision  do  la  soction  dos  hoiumes  :  Caissc  dos  Malados 
ot  Caisso  do  Dot  alio!!. 


CH.  V. 


AUT. 


A  in'. 


21. — Inscription  fiicultutivi' iuix  cU'iix  (.'uis.si'.«,   obligatoire  pour 

la  Caisse  dc  Dotation  scuU'. 
22. — Taux  ck's  contributions  i)our  la  C'aisse  tk's  Malades. 
2.'). — Ui'tributi(Mi  SLMni-anniu'lk". 

24. — A  qui  sont  payee's  les  contributions  :  cas  dv  retention. 
25. — Bt'nt'iices  on  nialadic  ;  conuncnt  ils  sont  accordos  on  refuses 

selon  les  circonstances  ;  extension  des  benelices,  sous  certai- 

nes  conditions. 

2(). — Procedures  a  suivre  pour  obtenir  ces  benefices. 

27. — Delai  de  trois  niois,  ai)res  I'entree  dans  L'U.  F.-C,  avant 
d'avoir  droit  aux  benellees  en  nialadie.  . 

28. — Causes  de  radiation  du  role  des  nienibres  ;  conditions  de 
readmission. 

20. — lienelices  de  frais  funeraires,  s'il  y  a  lieu,  (|50);  connnent 
les  beneticiaires  en  sont  determines,  si  le  societaire  n'y 
a  pas  i)ourvu  dans  son  testament. 

CH.  Vi. 

-De  la  Caisse  de  Dotation. 

-Conditions  d' inscription  u  cette  Caisse. 


;U).- 
:51.- 


-Tableau  des  contributions  mensuelles  pour  cette  Caisse. 

:Vo. — Contributions  speciales  pour  radniinistration. 

;?4. — De  la  retribution  annuelleou  semi-annuelle  selon  le  cas. 

:>r).  —  Benefices  des  agreges  a  la  Caisse  de  Dotation. 

:>(». — Conditions  de  paieinent  des  benefices  de  dotation. 

:}".— I'aienient  des  benefices  apres  le  ler  fevrier  11105. 

IJS.— Privileges  des  societaires  ayant  atteint  70  ans. 

:V,). — Obtention  de  polices  aetpiittees. 

40. — Privileges  des  societaires  devenut-  invalides. 

41. — De    la  declaration  d'invalidite  :   des  droits  et   obligations 
qu'elle  confen'  au  societaire  ipii  en  est  I'objet. 

42. — Appel,  sur  la  declaration  d'invalidite. 

4;5. — Contributions  aux(pielles  restent  teiius  les  invalides. 

44. — Conditions  d'augmeiitation  du  certilicat  de  dotation. 

45. — Conditions  de  diminutiou  du  meuie  certifieat. 


! 


It 


AUT. 


pour 


'ilai- 


ivant 

IS  do 

iiient 
!  n'v 


iH. 


.ti()ii« 


1( 


Akt. 


40.-()..  ne  iH.ut  aba.ulunn.r  la  (laiss.  do  Dotation  «an.  rononcor 
•I  tons  SI'S  droits  cijiniue  societairos  do  L'L.  J-.-C 

47.-A  qui  sopt  pajvs  los  bonolicos  do  dotation    on  ^^^^^^l^ 
dispositions  tostauientairosdusocietaire  docode  .  cdb  dun 

honinio  niarir  ou  d'un  colibatairo. 
4S.-Rotontion  di'S  bonoticos,  on  cas  do  discussion  judicia.ro. 
4.,._l>as  do  rocours  cMitro  I' Association,  dans  los  cas  do  paio- 

inonts  do  bonno  foi. 
50.-Pro.:oduro  a  suivro  pour  .jbtonir  los  bonoticos  do  dotation. 
51  -A  quol  temps  faut-il  payor  ses  contributions. 
52 -Radiation  pour  non-paion.ont  dos  contnbutions,  apros  1« 
dolai  logal  do  doux  niois  ;  conditions  do  romtograt.on. 

CH.  VII. 

5:5  -R:-glenieuts  connnuns  a  la  vC%\v  dos  doux  Caissos. 

54  -1)0  la  diminution  dans  lo  taux  dos  droits  d'ontroo. 

55  -Tout  directeur  doit  otro  inscrit  u  la  Caisso  do  Dotation. 
5(i.-t)bjotsotcortificatsauxquolsa  droit  tout  sociota.re  adnus 

dans  L' Union  Franco-Canadionno. 
57.-Cas  ou  un  sociotairo  perd  sos  droits  a  tons  los  bonoticos  do 

58.-Cas  oc/un  sociotairo  ou  son  ayant  droit  pout  pordro  sos  titros 

aux  bonoticos  do  L'U-  F.-C 
5>)  -Ladoch(^anco  no  donno  droit  a  aucun  romboursemont.  _  _ 
00  -Do  I'otablisson.ont  facultatif  dos  succursalos  ;  do  la  position 

L  sl^otairos  a  I'ogard  do  cos  succursalos  ot  do  lour  rogio. 
(il  -Pas  do  contributions  a  payor  pov.r  lo  niois  do  I'adnnssion  ; 

■     contributions  d'apros  I'ago  au  procham  annivorsairo. 
(i->  -Doniission  d'un  sociotairo  ;  procoduro  a  suivro. 
(iii^-Docontralisation  faouitativo  dos  fonds  de  Secours,  on  cor- 
tains  cas. 

CH.  VIII. 
(i4 -Causes  d'oxpulsion  do  r  Association. 
.        05.-ConditionB  dans  losquollos  la  sontonco  d'oxpuls.on  pout  otro 

.        ,,.^;r':riina,dola..ntoncod^>xpulsioupronouc.op^ 
liuroan  do  direct  ion  ;  si's  offots. 


(( 
(( 
(( 


Aiir. 


A  in'. 


07.— L'expiilsi'  iir  pent  plut^  ii-nliri' dans  LT.  V.V- 
(33,_l>roCL'diiiv  a  Hiiivrt'  dans  li-s  cas  d'cxpidHiuii. 
09.-— CoinpariUi(»ii  dv  riiiciilp '■  dt-vaiit  Ic  P.uivaii  .Ir  diivrtioii. 
70.— De  la  decision  dn  linrcaude  diivction.  I't  de  hi  signilication 
de  cettu  decision  an  socit'laiiv  coni)abU'. 

CH.  IX. 

71. —Conditions  d'adniission  dans  la  section  des  femnies  de  LT. 

r.-c. 

-Droits  d'entive  et  aiitres  pivliniinaires  de  raduiission. 
-Comnie  rarticle  17. 

I'onvoirs  du  coniite  d'adniission  a  Tej^ard  des  aspii'antes. 

Coniine  rarlicle  HI. 

Tanxdt'S  conliilintions   a  la  Caissi^  de   Dotation,    poin-   la 

section  des  fenunes. 

Contributions   si)i'ciales   i)onr    I'adniinistration,     dans     la 

SI  f'tion  des  I'eniines. 

Retribution  seini-unnnelle,  pour  la  secti(Mi  des  feninies. 

Dnjits  des  h -riliers  iles  societaii'es  de  cette  section. 


■ 


72.- 

74. 

7(). 

77. 

78. 


NO. 
SI. 


s;?. 


Art.      S4. 


S5. 
S(l. 


CH.    X 

Constitution  dn  Conseil  (ieneral  de  L'U.  K.-C.  ;  quorinn. 

Pait'nieut   des    i'rais  de   voyages   des  tlelegues   au    Conseil 

(ieneral. 

Assend)lei's  bi-annnelles  ilu  Conseil  (ieneral  ;  la  prociklnre  ; 

convocations  et  deliberations  des  asseniblees  speciales   ilu 

ilit  Conseil.  a  Toccasion. 

Coninienl  les  reglenients  penvent  etre  aniendes,    ratifies,  on 

desavones  et  annnles. 

CH.  XI. 

Dn  I'.m-ean  de  direction;  sa  composition:  dnive  des  t'onc- 
tions  des  directenrs  I't  de  cei'tains   olliciers  ;   reinplacenient 
d'nn  (lirecteur    pai'    le   I'.nrean.     Des    niend)i'i'S   honoraires. 
IH'S  inspt'cteurs  v{  de  leni's  devoirs, 
(^nornm  dn  Hni'i'an  de  direction. 
Droits  et  devoirs  du  I'lvsident  General. 


I 


(I 


Aim-. 


AuT. 


Aur. 


i 

ST. 

i 

ss. 

i 

,S1>. 

i  i 

111). 

ic 

S)\. 

ii 

wl. 

i  ( 

sy:>. 

it 

<)4. 

1  i 

Do 

I  i 

ut) 

t . 

1)7 

All!'. 


Droits  et  devoirs  clu  ler  Vicr-1'residcut. 
Dn.its  ct  devoirs  du  2.ul  Vice-Pre«ulent. 

Droits  cl  dev.m-s  du  SotMvtuirr  <c'ii,'ral. 
Droits  el  d.voirsduTn^sorirr(i(^>H'nil. 
Le  Secretaire  est,  de  droit,  Inspectenr  (ie.ieral. 

Dr.. its  et  devoirs  du  :Medeciii-en-chef. 

Dn.its  et  devoirs  du  prenuer  Medeciu-Exmnuutteur. 

Devoirs  des  Auditi'urs. 

Fonctions  des  Couuuissaires-Ordonnateurs. 

Nouunutions  et  fouctious  des  Medecius-Exaunnuteu... 

CJratuite  des  fouctious  de  directeurs  ;  exceptiou    la.te    eu 

faveur  de  certaius  otHciers. 

Drdre   du   jour  des   asseu.blees  reguheres   du    l.u.-eau    de 

di recti ou.  ,      ,.      ..   „ 

,,.eu.blees  regulieres  .ueusuelles  du  Bureau  de  d.rectu.u. 
Asseuibleesspeciaies:  leur  regie. 
,     Nouuuatiou  des  percepteurs  ;  leur  couuuiss.ou  ;  leurs  attn- 
butiouset  leurs  obligatious. 

CH.  XII. 


101.     Dv'S  couiites  peruiaueuts. 

U)-'      .Iuridictioudueo,nit:'desliuauces. 

...     •        ,         „,it'.  nour  I'admissiou  et  la  reuitegratiou 
103      Juridictioudu  count.' pout    lauiui- 


«.)S. 
1(H) 


des  societaires. 
101.     Juridictiou  du  cou.ite  d'eu(iuetes. 

CH.  XIII. 


A  111'. 


Aiir, 


„„       .,„.i,licti„n  cL- «•  >= it;,  i  co.uHK.ut,  il  »•  .«rua.. 


101).     Juridicti 


CH.   IV. 


)U1 


it^'s:    sessious    regulieres    ou 


Aur. 


07.     .Vsseuiblees     des   divers    c 
^ipt'eiales. 

CH.  XV. 

...        ,    ,  K.,nd<de  LTniou  Krauco-Cauadieiuie. 
UK      Ui'nartitiou  ties  rouuf  ui   li  I 

'  ^         .  .„  1..  i-und-  de  la  (Jaisse  des  MaUules. 

,„(,.      Do  qiioi  se  couipose  U-  louU..  a*    la   ,  ^ 


I 


6 


"    no 

"    111 

"     112 

"     118 

"     114 

"     11.") 

"     IKi 

"     117 

'•     118 

"   iiy 

"     12) 

"     121 

A  (iiioi  ,s'i';up!()i('nt  les  foiids  (k-  cottv  Ciii>>i>»'. 

Di;  quoi  ho  composi^  le  fonds  ile  la  Caiase  do  Dotation. 

A  quoi  is'appliqnent  less  fonds  dcct'tto  CaisKo. 

Deduction  u  faiiv  pour  radniinistration. 

Do  quo!  se  conipono  le  fonds  d'organisation. 

A  quoi  s'uppliquo  lo  fonds  d'organisation. 

Do  quoi  so  conqxiso  lo  fonds  gont'ral. 

A  quoi  s'appli(iUont  los  I'ossourcjs  du  Fonds  GJ'u^'ra!. 

D/'pot  dos  fonds  aux  banquos. 

riaconieuts  dotinitifs  des  funds,  on  prots  ou  achats  d'iniineu- 

blos. 

Contributions  resorvoes  aii  fonds  d'cjrganisation. 
Ailorisation  au   Bureau   do  direction  do  transferer  d'uno 
caissj  .\  I'autre  cortaines  sonunos,  et  niodo  de  roniboursonient. 


CH.  XVI. 

Aur.     122.     Miso  on  force  des  roglonients. 


iineii- 


I'UIK' 
llt'Ut. 


I 


